Southern Pine Beetles 1 - Nature Trail 0 Traditional Cache
Southern Pine Beetles 1 - Nature Trail 0
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache has been placed in the Lake Hartwell State Recreation
Area, not far from the Georgia state line.
Don't forget to pay the parking fee at the entrance. The fee is $2
per person; some exclusions apply. Trail head is N 34° 29.657 W
083° 02.011
Outbreaks of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis
Zimmermann, occur periodically in the southern United States,
killing millions of dollars worth of pine timber and landscape
pines. All pine species can be attacked, but some are more
susceptible than others. In the Piedmont, shortleaf pine is more
susceptible than loblolly or Virginia pines, and in the Coastal
Plain loblolly is more susceptible than longleaf or slash pines.
According to a November 21, 2005 report on WISTV.COM, the most
recent and costliest outbreak of the southern pine beetle in South
Carolina history is officially over. The report goes on to say that
the rampage of the tiny insect killed almost $360 million worth of
timber, starting in York County in 1998, eventually spreading to 23
counties statewide. While the upstate sustained the heaviest
losses, infestations reached epidemic proportions in some Midlands
and coastal counties as well. Contributing to this epidemic was a
sustained drought which weakened trees, making them especially
susceptible to attack. This information was compiled from reports
on these sites: Clemson
and WIS
TV
Much more information is available on the Internet.
The
Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area web site indicates the
presence of a nature trail; however, the trail is now unmarked and
is not advocated because it is obstructed by deadfall from the
southern pine beetle infestation. Maneuvering around or over fallen
logs is standard operating procedure for geocachers, and this cache
serves to illustrate the impact of the southern pine beetle
outbreak.
A trail map can be found
here. Thanks to andersonranchero for the link.
The cache started off as a medium size lock & lock container
and was replaced with an ammo box on 7-17-2006.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)