Coordinates are for the parking lot.
See further below for special handicapped information:
At no point will you be required to, nor should you, leave the
paved trail. Completion of this multi-stage, micro geocache will
require information obtained from inside the Nature Center. This
will require a visit during normal hours of operation (hours listed
below). A Big THANKS to the staff for their assistance in setting
up clues to solve the first stage!
First Stage is a small piece of metal with the final digits of
the N & W Coordinates for the Second Stage stamped in. Keep in
mind that these have been placed so muggles will, hopefully, walk
by them completely unawares. Think outside of the box.
Go the the parking area at the front entrance of the Nature
Center. After finishing in the Center, hikers can take either the
Tulip Poplar Hill Trail from the North side of the Center (left
side as you are facing the front of the building) OR the Ridgetop
Trail on the South side of the Center (right side, rear as you are
facing the front of the building). There are maps of the trail in
the Center.
To complete the coordinates you must explore the nature centers
exhibits:
Longitude: N37 20.XXX
Find the timeline of conservation history within the exhibit area.
Subtract the deer population in 1925 from the last three digits of
that year 1(925). Add the LAST two digits of the year the Missouri
Conservation Commission was established. This number will be your
last three digits of the North Coordinate
CHECK SUM: Add each digit of your answer together. You will get
a two digit number. Add those two digits together. You should get
'9'.
Example - N37 12.345 . . . 3+4+5=12 1+2=3
Lattitude: W089 35.XXX
Find the "Muddy Swamps to Useful Tools", "Fishing in Times Past"
and "Working with Wood" exhibits. There are numerals next to each
item in the exihibits. (1) Mussel Shells; (2) Hematite
Plummets;(3) Beaver Teeth Gouges IN THAT ORDER will give
you the last three digits of the West Coordinate.
CHECK SUM:Add each digit of your answer together. You will get a
single digit number. You should get '5'.
Example - N89 11.111 . . . 1+1+1=3
Correct, completed coordinates will take you to the first stage,
which is a micro, no log.
At the first stage, you will find the last three decimals of the
North and West coordinates for the second stage.
N37 20.XXX
W089 35.XXX
Bring a pen to sign the log in the second stage. Please replace
everything as it was found.
Handicaching Information
There is now handicapped access from the front of the building
to the Ridgetop Trail.
Hours and other information
- Open Tuesday through Saturday 8.00am to 5.00pm
- Open Sunday noon to 5.00pm
- Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day
- Area Hours: Open daily sunrise to 10.00pm
Regulations:
- Pets, horses, hunting, collecting, littering and alcoholic
beverages are not permitted on nature center grounds or
trails.
- Jogging, bicycling, skateboarding, skating, scooters and
motorized vehicles are not permitted on trails.
- Please remain on the trails at all times.
Driving directions:
Located within Cape Girardeau's North County Park, just east of
Interstate 55 (Exit 99) and South on Kingshighway (State Highway
61).
This geocache placed in cooperation with the MO Department of
Conservation. Special User Permit on file.
Click to verify coordinates for first stage
