The above coordinates are NOT the location of the cache. They are the location of the trailhead which you must take to gain access to the cache. You also must do a bit of observatory math to calculate the actual cache co-ordinates.
This cache will take you to the remains of one of the forts that helped protect our country during the early 1800s. Construction on Fort Mississauga was begun during the war of 1812, to help defend against the American Fort Niagara, across the river. It was used to help defend against the American forces in 1814 and was completed after the war. (see photo 1) Built as an emergency field fortification, this is the only example of a star shaped earthwork in Canada. Used for various military tasks in the following years, a 9-hole golf course had been laid out on Mississauga Point by the late 1870s, which still operates today.
Today, you too may have to be aware of projectiles and people with weapons, as you will be crossing an active golf course to reach the fort, and the cache location. Don’t go to war with a golfer. Odds are that a 9-iron and its 10 friends will be better weapons than your GPS and a water bottle.
Also note that, like other areas in Niagara-on-the-Lake, some people claim that this area has a collection of ghostly spirits that may or may not be present when you are on site. Keep your eyes and ears open.
Parking:
Free parking is available along the roadside adjacent to the golf course at N 43° 15.597’ W 079° 04.472’. Sometimes, when the course is busy, you may have to park on one of the side streets, as the course has no parking of their own. Be aware of the parking rules for NoTL, which include a mixture of parking meters, ticket machines and free parking.
Trailhead:
There is a plaque, showing a map of the area at N 43° 15.605’ W 079° 04.500’ which also marks the start of the trail that you must follow to get to the fort area safely. Please obey the signs along the trail and be alert regarding projectiles.
Cache:
A bit of math to be done once you arrive in the fort area. Count the number of barred vertical openings (see photo 2) in the tower building in the middle of the fort area (even number including ankle height openings). Take that number, then divide it by 1000 (one THOUSAND). Add that number to each of the following fake co-ordinates to determine the actual cache location.
N 43° 15.696+0.xxx’ W 079° 04.563+0.xxx’
Exit the fort area via the tunnel at the northern edge of the fort area, to take you through the berm to reach Lake Ontario. There may or may not be gates blocking the tunnel. If the gates are in place, you will have to walk over the berm. Follow the trail to the cache location.
The cache container is a smaller clear plastic container. Please make sure that you re-hide the container when you are finished making your trades. The cache area is only a couple of metres off the trail, so, be stealthy.
Special notes:
Be reminded that you will be crossing an active golf course to reach the cache location. Please be EXTRA respectful of any golfers as you cross the course. Please stay on the trail, and yield to any golfer who is playing through the area.
Children should be attended at all times. Stay on the trail until inside the fort area.
No bicycles, scooters, roller blades, skateboards, or other vehicles are allowed.
When approaching the final cache area, you will be walking along the shore of Lake Ontario, so, keep a close eye on children while in that area.
Although it is not posted, you should use your judgment regarding bringing four-legged caching companions to this site. If you do bring your four-legged caching companions, leash them at all times and PLEASE make sure that you clean up after them. The groundskeepers will appreciate it.
Cache maintenance was last performed in July 10, 2012. - no travel bugs were in the cache at that time.