This is the 1st cache in a series of 41 running along the length of the NCT in Mason Co that make up a small geo-art. All of the caches except this one are either large or regular sized hidden in a typical manner. None are more than 90 feet off the trail and most are much closer. It is dry and mostly hard packed and level with very few tree roots across the trail so it's perfect for hiking or biking. We've attached reference points to this cache where the trail crosses a few roadways if you want to break up your hike into smaller chunks.
Your cell phone signal will be very sketchy here but its GPS will work fine. No Sprint. No Verizon in most places. Some AT&T but not everywhere. If you're using a phone to geocache we strongly advise you to save these on your phone beforehand. Don't know how to do that? Ask the COs for help.
Campbell Rd., Riverside Dr. and Tyndall Rd. are all weather roads. Koenig, Hoague. Taylor, USFS 5423 and USFS 5039 are seasonal. They are not plowed in Winter and may be wet or muddy in the Spring. USFS 5039 and Hoague are particularly narrow and Taylor was found to be impassable south of Koenig in August. Taylor also shows on your map as running south off Riverside. It doesn't. It ends at USFS 5040 which does run north to Riverside. Hoague will not show on your map as going from Campbell to Taylor. We can assure you it does although it's very narrow.
The small amount of bushwhacking here is very easy as there are no thorny bushes, poison ivy, or other nasty plant life to contend with and the tree cover is not heavy in many parts. We will however, caution you to bring bug spray in the Summer as the mosquitoes here are numerous and hungry. Hunting is allowed in season here so wear bright orange if you're coming in the Fall. All of these caches have the Available in Winter attribute set. That only means the NCT is open in winter and you can ski on it (it's not groomed) and does not mean caches are above the snow line although some are but most are not.
All of the caches have been hidden in places where there is plentiful material to cover them back up, so you know what to do. The ammo cans are all staked to the ground with few a exceptions so please don't try to remove them. It's not necessary.
This cache is not at the posted coordinates. You'll need to figure out which of these statements is correct to find out where it is hidden.
Mason Co. is named for the 1st governor of Michigan, Stevens T. Mason, "The Boy Governor": N 44 10.143 W 086 06.162
Mason Co. is named for a popular brand of glass canning jar: N 44 10.132 W 086 06.154