This cache was created by the Pokagon State Park Interpretive
Staff. The mission of the Indiana State Park Interpretive Services
is to provide information and interpretive experiences with
Indiana's natural and cultural resources to visitors, staff, and a
diverse public. As per the IDNR Geocaching Policy, this geocache is
not in an IDNR dedicated Nature Preserve and has been
permitted.
Begin your journey at the above coordinates. The usual State Park
admission is required ($1.00 bicycle, $4.00 in-state weekday, $5.00
weekend, or $7.00 out of state vehicles).
At the first set of coordinates you will find
four laminated cards stapled to four different species of trees
within 20 feet. These trees are:
- White Ash, Fraxinus americana
- Black Cherry, Prunus serotina
- Shagbark Hickory, Carya ovata
- American Basswood, Tilia americana
Using some of the information on the webpages
linked below, you will need to identify and use the coordinates
that are attached to the White Ash Tree, as they will take you to
the cache container. All of your coordinates to choose from are
located approximately 18 inches from the ground. If you choose one
of the other coordinates, they will lead you somewhere... just not
to a cache container!
Most tree ID is done with leaves, but the bark can be just as
useful, if not more accurate since they do not vary as much.
This site shows Ash tree bark:
Ash
Tree Bark
This site shows Black Cherry bark:
Black Cherry
Tree Bark
This site shows Shagbark Hickory bark:
Hickory Bark
This site shows American Basswood bark:
American
Basswood Bark
At the final stage you will find a special hidden ammo box which
contains many Emerald Ash Borer related materials, including EAB
tattoos and magnetic bumper stickers! You shouldn't have to do any
bushwacking to enjoy this cache.
Don't forget to visit the Emerald Ash
Borer website for all the information regarding this pest that is
threatening to destroy all the ash trees in the United States. If
you are camping, do not bring firewood, as 30% of Pokagon's forests
are ash!
Emerald
Ash Borer Info Page
EAB in
Indiana Page
Have fun, and be safe! -Pokagon Nature Center
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