"Elm Bank includes 182 acres, best described as a mitten-shaped peninsula surrounded by the Charles River on three sides. Excellent wildlife-watching possibilities exist here, with animals such as deer, raccoon, mink, and fox inhabiting the quiet woodlands. There is also a good variety of bird life here including eastern screech owls, northern saw-whet owls, great horned owls, and the uncommon pileated woodpecker, which has a brilliant red crest. Along the Charles River it is possible to see a number of wading birds such as great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, and green herons." (Nature Walks in Eastern Massachusetts). Ownership of this property was passed to the Metropolitan District Commission in 1991. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society now leases part of the land and is maintaining the gardens throughout the property.
For a map and directions: http://www.rosebay.org/chapterweb/elmbank.htm.
The trailhead is opposite the sign that says, "Parking for Massachusetts Horticultural Society Only." There are other places to park throughout the reservation but you may have to drive around the one-way perimeter road again to find them. There are 7 spaces available at the canoe launch, which is just past the trailhead. The trails are old carriage roads so they are wide and flat. This is safe place to take children and an excellent place to cross-country ski in the winter. The area is open from 8 a.m. to dusk.
This cache is designed to be a movie swap. Bring along a DVD or VHS tape and exchange it for another one. If you don't have a movie to swap, there are other items in the large ammo box to trade. If the box is full, feel free to take more than 1 movie. The cache may may contain the DVDs listed below (we update the list after each find if the cacher has told us what they took and what they left)
1. Baby Boost
2. Roll Bounce
3. Bat Thumb
4. Time to Dance- Teletubbies
5. Michael Clayton
6. Wiggle Time
7. Hart's War
8. Brainy Baby
9. Orange is the New Black
10.Grace and Frankie
11.Get Out
All stops are 20 - 30 feet off the heavily traveled paths.
This area is open in the winter but some stages will be difficult to find if there are more than a few inches of snow on the ground.