GCXZYK Fall Into Geocaching: Potato Creek State Park (Traditional Cache) in Indiana, United States created by IDNR State Park's and Reservoirs

This cache has been archived.

Pokagon Nature Center: Thanks everyone. Happy caching in the Indiana State Parks in 2007.

GCXZYK ▼

A cache by IDNR State Park's and Reservoirs Message this owner

Hidden : 8/27/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Fall Into Geocaching: Potato Creek State Park:
"Fire On The Prairie!"

This cache was created by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks and Reservoirs to promote geocaching in the Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs this fall. It is part of a larger contest. Each cache in this series (search "fall into geocaching") has a special word(s) in bold on the top of the log sheet. There are a total of 22 different caches located in 22 different state parks, recreation areas, or reservoirs. Though not needed to log the cache, the first teams to successfully find (and log online) 10 of these caches and email to the profile above the 10 words (with their corresponding park) will win. All other teams completing it will also go into a drawing for other prizes. The contest period goes from Labor Day until Dec 31, 2006.

Participants can look for caches anytime during the contest period; however, the first geocacher who finds ten of the 22 caches, reports to the contest coordinator and is verified as a winner will be awarded a $100 gift certificate to Indiana State Park inns. Only one gift certificate will be awarded. All other prizes (annual passes, campnights, daily entrance admissions) will be awarded at the end of the contest in a drawing for participants who have located at least 10 of the 22 caches. One hundred free “Fall into Geocaching” t-shirts will be also be awarded in a drawing for anyone who participates and reports finding at least one cache. 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).
Whether you visit our great State Parks and Reservoirs for a day or an entire weekend, we hope you get out and see all that Indiana has to offer. Be sure to also check out some of the geocaching events going on at various State Parks this fall! Good Luck!!!

You can find other "Fall Into Geocaching" caches at:
· Brookville Lake: GCY8VY
· Brown County State Park: GCY5NA
· Fort Harrison State Park: GCY1VM
· Indiana Dunes State Park: GCXYQ7
· J. Edward Roush Reservoir: GCY5XR
· Mansfield Mill: GCY5FP
· McCormick’s Creek State Park: GCY29G
· Mississinewa Reservoir: GCY31P
· Mounds State Park: GCY8VD
· Ouabache State Park: GCY24C
· Pokagon State Park: GCXWHP
· Potato Creek State Park: GCXZYK
· Prophetstown State Park: GCY5WR
· Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area: GCY5F0
· Salamonie Reservoir: GCY5DP
· Shades State Park: GCY16E
· Shakamak State Park: GCY22T
· Spring Mill State Park: GCY6T4
· Summit Lake State Park: GCXYR2
· Tippecanoe River State Park: GCY2TZ
· Turkey Run State Park: GCY13M
· Whitewater Memorial State Park: GCY8W1

Welcome to Potato Creek State Park! Situated in a place where the eastern forests meet the western tall grass prairies, Potato Creek is a showcase of both habitats struggling for dominance of the land.

Whether natural or human-casued, fires are an important force at Potato Creek. Prior to settlement of the area, fires started by lighning or by Native Americans, to drive game, burned under natural conditions. These fires allowed for large expanses of prairies to thrive, where trees could not tolerate the fire. In forested areas, oaks dominated in savanna type settings.

Today, we cannot rely on wildfires to maintain the tall grass prairies and savannas. To conserve and restore these habitats, deliberate set and carefully burned fires are used in the spring- they are called prescribed burns. These fires help in prairie restoration throughout the park by releasing nutrients back into the soil, setting back succession, and killing non-native plants. Check out the anatomy of a prescribed fire here: Link

As you seek out this cache, imagine the large prairie patches of Indiana's yesterday. It was once said that the tall grass prairies were so tall you could tie the grass tops around your horse! Enjoy!

The "Fall Into Geocaching" series meets all guidelines set forth in the IDNR Geocaching Policy. If you are interested in placing a geocache in an Indiana State Park or Reservoir, please review our policy at: Link

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Arne Oheag Gerr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)