This cache will take you to three different locations spread across Polk and Pasco counties. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me before heading out.
This one will take you to three important water sources in our area. I hope you have at least as much fun finding this as I did hiding it!
As with the other InfoChallenge caches, there is a 1 oz silver coin and a geo-coin for the first 2 finders.
Part I: Withlacoochee River Approx 3.4 miles round-trip.
The designated parking is on 471, just north of the river on the west side of the road. You will need to cross the bridge (traffic goes fast here...be careful!) and go over to the SWFWMD/FT trailhead on the east side of 471. You could probably park near the trailhead too, the fishermen seem to do it. You'll want bug spray for this one.
This area is MUDDY right now. I mountain-biked it since I was running out of daylight but the road is pretty torn up and not that much fun to bike. I walked a lot of the way and also had to abandon the bike after a while. Hiking is good, if you have time. Follow the orange-blazed trail carefully...if you don't you'll wind up at an impassable washout and will have to backtrack.
4/6/2003 update: There's a lot less mud around, and the area is a bit easier to get to. You can park on the east side of 471, just south of the bridge and ride a lot of the way. Bikability is better, but you'll still wind up walking it a little and the riding is more difficult in places. A rather pleasant bike/hike though.
The cache is not far from where a new bridge is being constructed, be sure and go take a look while you're here. It's at the base of a palm tree on a side trail.
Part II: Cypress Creek 4.8 miles round-trip.
4/6/2003 update: The parking coordinates from Part I might be off. The proper ones at N28°17.082 W082°25.641. I think the sheet in the cache for part one says 26 instead of 25. Mosquitos were dive-bombing me from all directions when I wrote that. :)
Don't let the security gate scare you off...it's OK to bike (or hike) here and this is a great place for it. It's kind of like Flatwoods Park, but without all the crowds. Study the map at the sign-in point...you'll be looking for the off-road bike trail at some point. You'll want bug spray for this one. :)
Part III: Anclote River 7.2 miles round-trip.
This area is a real treasure and I'm so thankful it's been set aside for recreation and conservation instead of another dozen housing developments.
You can follow trails all the way to the cache, if you're patient and observant. On bike, take the paved trail to the first wellhouse road after the powerline cut. On foot, there might be a slighly more direct way by following the hiking trail.
Once you find the cache, be sure to continue down the main trail a short way to the Anclote River crossing. It's really beautiful.