The cache is a hinged container of transparent polyethelene with
the approxomate dimensions of a thick trade paperback book, clearly
marked with the cache name and geocaching.com URL. You'll be
hard-pressed to fit anything much more than an inch thick within
and still get the container closed.
Enough people have reported tripping and falling with varying
degrees of hilarity and/or injury in the proximity of this cache
during dry, warm weather that, combined with my experiences trying
to check on this cache during snowy weather, I now have to advise
against attempting this cache when there is ice or snow on
the ground, unless you're a masochist, and you will almost
certainly not find the cache if there is 10" or more of snow on the
ground. Hint, hint. :)
Parking is easiest to the north/northeast/northwest, on streets;
obey posted restrictions. Three fairly well-established trails lead
within 100' or so of the cache site, though their routes are
erratic and destinations often counter-intuitive. It's possible to
approach the cache vicinity from all four cardinal directions on
established trails, though some directions are much easier than
others.
If you are approaching the cache from such a position that you
are within 200' and have to negotiate a steep downward slope (what
has come to be referred to as "the slide") and don't want to risk
this rite of dubiously enjoyable passage (i.e. slipping and
falling), you are most likely standing on, or have just passed
across, a dirt path running generally north-south. Following this
path to the north, while counter-intuitive, will bring you to a
location on the other side of, and below, the cache, from which
direction it is much easier to approach the cache
vicinity.
Also, a note, if I may: When this cache was placed in 2004,
there was a lot less undergrowth in these woods than there
is today. This isn't a bad thing, but please keep in mind, as you
squeeze single-file thru gaps in head-high shrubs and negotiate
knee-high brush, that two years ago this area was more "parklike"
and rather less "primeval forest". I wasn't trying to be a sadist.
:)
On April 21st, 2007, a wildfire of unknown origin swept thru a
fairly large section of forest in this area. While the cache was
not affected, the area may be a bit unpleasant for the next few
weeks, with a lot of ash blowing around and a quite persistent
smoky smell.
Be warned that there is a history of sporadic paintball gaming
to the west/southwest during summer weekends, though I have not
observed any such activity since early 2005, and suspect this may
no longer be a concern.
This area was part of the Willow Brook Fish Hatchery prior to
WWI, then saw a number of small businesses in the '20s, '30s, and
'40s to the east of the cache (how many foundations can YOU find?
:) ) after the hatchery was relocated to the south. In the '40s or
'50s this area east of Mounds Park was the Saint Paul Archery
Range; if you search well you can still find signs of this
short-lived recreational fad in the woods here and there...
The area is home to raccoons, fox, deer, owls, falcons, red-tail
hawks, and at least one bald eagle, as well as the usual assortment
of birds, squirrels, and so forth.
Despite the health of the woods, and the abundant wildlife,
there's a goodly amount of soil contamination in the area,
particularly in lower-lying spots near the marsh to the east. Those
cacheing with four-legged friends would be wise to err on the side
of caution and treat any water, even the natural springs, as
suspect.
Permission was granted to have this cache in this location.