Welcome to the 2019 Edition of Cache Across Maryland, hosted by the Maryland Geocaching Society. This is one of ten geocaches placed throughout the "Old Line State" in locations chosen to showcase Maryland's diverse beauty, history and terrain. From the mountains of Western Maryland to the Atlantic Ocean, Cache Across Maryland 2019 will again demonstrate that Maryland truly is “America in Miniature”.
Each of the ten geocaches contains a code which you will use to determine the location of the CAM 2019 Picnic to be held on May 4th, 2019. The code can be found on the inside of the cache container and on the inside front cover of the logbook. Don't forget to record this code! Any geocacher who has completed all TEN of the CAM geocaches and attends the CAM Picnic on May 4th will receive a Certificate of Completion and a Cache Across Maryland 2019 commemorative geocoin in antique copper. We hope you enjoy CAM 2019!
Patapsco Valley State Park - McKeldin Area
The McKeldin area of Patapsco Valley State Park lies in Carroll County. The Main Branch and the South Branch of the Patapsco River join in the McKeldin area. Rapids along the South Branch are a beautiful but dangerous feature of this section of the park. (Note the Rapids area and the pool below the rapids are closed for swimming due to dangerous currents.) This area has opportunities for the horseback rider, mountain biker, hiker and disc golfer. There are miles of multi-use trails in this section of the park, which are very popular with the equestrian community. The multi-use trails are open to hikers, bikers, horseback riding, and more.
In the most northern part of Patapsco State Park, McKeldin gives hikers access to trails along the river, where the Main and South branches of the Patapsco River merge into raging rapids.
After a hike, you can play disc golf on the 18-hole course or reserve a shelter for an after-hike picnic. The Liberty Reservoir Dam is within view of some of the shelters and offers an interesting backdrop.
There are 10 shelters that accommodate from 10 to 175 people and six trails that range from 0.3 to 4 miles in length. Some trails include:
- Rapids Trail
- Switchback Trail
- Plantation Trail
- Tall Poplar Trail
- Medicine Tree Trail
- Spring Glen Trail
Leashed pets are allowed, and swimming is allowed where posted only.
Park Regulations:
- Hours: Daily, 9am to Sunset
- Keep all pets on leash; clean up after your pets.
- No swimming in Rapids and rapids pool areas.
- No alcoholic beverages.
- See Maryland DNR website for on-site park entrance fee details, which range from $2 - $5.
- Parking is available on- and off-site (see Additional Waypoints).
The Geocache
This geocache is NOT located at the listed coordinates. This is a field puzzle.
Go to the posted coordinates and find a brown sign titled McKeldin Rapids Trail (with 3 smaller signs underneath). Answers to the questions below are all found on the top brown sign.
A = Number of times the letter H appears on the top sign
B = Number of letters in last word of Maryland park emblem on bottom right sign.
C = Number of letters in 1st word of 2nd line of top sign + 1
D = Number of times the letter C appears on the top sign
E = Number of letters in 1st word on top sign.
F = Number of letters in 2nd word on top sign.
Final coordinates are N39 21.ABC W076 53.DEF.
Checksum (A+B+C+D+E+F) = 30.
As with any outdoor activity, geocaching has potential risks. It is your responsibility to determine those risks and make your own choices in pursuing a geocache. If at any time you are injured or need emergency assistance, dial 911.
