This cache is one of nine traditional caches necessary to find The Golden Cache. To find The Golden Cache you will need to bring a camera with a large display (e.g., a smartphone) with you when finding the nine traditional caches. Please see The Golden Cache cache entry for full information before starting your quest!
The Red Trail at Plainsboro Preserve
Our southernmost trail, the Red Trail — represented by the red line on the trail map below — forms a compact (.4 mile/.6 kilometer) loop just about at the midpoint of the Yellow Trail, and in fact it is only accessible via the Yellow Trail (without resorting to bushwhacking). As it is one of our more secluded trails you can expect a noteworthy reduction in the noises of everyday modern life as you make your way through its thickly wooded environs.
As an Upland Deciduous forest environment, you'll encounter such trees as beech, maple, and sweetgum along the path. Many local animals and insects make their homes in these trees, and in fact many creatures will choose only one specific plant or tree to live their lives. The caterpillar form of the beautiful Luna Moth, for example, will only be found in the sweetgum tree.
Deciduous forests also produce two other things in great abundance: leaves and logs, both of which contribute to the humus layer — the top layer of soil that is mostly made of organic matter, helps the soil hold moisture, and aids in making soil minerals usable as food for plants and trees. A rotting log is considered a micro-habitat and plays host to a wide variety of molds, mushrooms, red-backed salamanders, beetles, earthworms, spiders, millipedes, and other creatures.
Don't forget to pick up a trail map inside the Nature Center before you start your adventure!
The Red Trail at a Glance
- ENVIRONMENT: Upland Deciduous Forest
- TRAIL LENGTH: .4 mile/.6 kilometer
- TRAILHEADS: Via the Yellow Trail
- HIDDEN TREASURES: Abandoned well.
About This Cache
You're looking for a camouflaged 30 caliber ammo can in a child-accessible place. Inside you'll find a log book kit, a fact card, and some kid-friendly trinkets for trading. At launch, each of the ten caches contain a limited number of themed trinkets to commemorate the new geotrail. Be one of the few to collect them all!
For the enjoyment of the Preserve and the protection of the habitat and wildlife, the following are not permitted in Plainsboro Preserve:
- Smoking (including electronic devices).
- Littering.
- Picnicking, fires, camping, or woodcutting.
- Drugs or alcoholic beverages.
- Bicycles, skateboards, or other vehicles on the trails.
- Fishing, hunting, or trapping.
- Pets and horses.
- Picking, cutting, removing, collecting, or otherwise harming any plants or animals.
- Digging holes or other forms of "landscaping".
- Swimming or boating.
- Feeding the wildlife.
- Agricultural and developed areas are off-limits.
Special thanks to JessicasDaddy for creating and maintaining the current Plainsboro Preserve geotrail.