Molechunkamunk: Cranberry Cove
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Molechunkamunk, a.k.a. Upper Richardson Lake, lies within an unspoiled wilderness, rich in history, folk lore and wildlife. This cache is part of a series designed to share with you, some very special locations we have treasured in our lifetime (thus far), on and around this open space treasure we love so much.
Cranberry Cove is accessible ONLY via kayak or canoe. It is a fragile ecosystem offering profound beauty and a meaningful interaction with nature in all its glory. The vast, shallow waters are riddled with hidden obstructions providing a natural defense against powered craft of any sort, making it a peaceful oasis for the wildlife, animal and vegetable, that abound.
Access to Upper Richardson Lake is available at the state maintained boat launch at Millbrook (N 44*54.408 W 070*54.422). The entrance is off of Rt.16 and marked by the “Bureau of Public Lands/Richardson Lake Unit” sign.
This is a multi-cache with part one simply bringing you to the mouth of the cove, approx. 2.7 miles from the launch. There you will find a micro about twice the size of a film can, holding the coordinates to the cache. The bogs will prevent you from paddling straight to the cache. We highly recommend circumnavigating the bogs in a clockwise route, hugging the portside shore. You won’t be disappointed. Among the “residents” we have encountered while paddling the cove are, moose, bald eagles, osprey, beavers, mink, otters, black bears, deer, nesting loons, Canada geese, blue herons, etc. And yes… there are cranberries. Dawn and sunset are the optimum times for wildlife viewing, but any time of the day can provide stealthy paddlers with memorable sights. You might even experience the paradox of tree top level fighter jets suddenly screaming overhead, compliments of the USAF. Regardless of what you encounter, we are confident you will enjoy this hunt.
The final is a 50 MM ammo can, packed with lots of useful and fun trade items to kick things off. There is also a camera which we hope you will use to record your visit and leave behind for the next visitors. We will upload the best images to the cache page. Let us know when it gets low on shots.
Neither parts of this multi are actually “hidden” and should be quite easy to find. Getting to them is your challenge. Couch potatoes BEWARE! Everyone please beware that Upper Richardson Lake pays no attention to the weatherman. It creates its own weather and changes its mind often. Be mindful of that and know your limitations. If you do this as your only “Molechunkamunk” cache for the day and do it from Millbrook, your paddle will be 7-8 miles round trip. Consider adding another in the series to broaden the experience. Cachers who accomplish both “Cranberry Cove” and “Pin Cushion” on the same day will be formally recognized on both cache pages in the “Paddlehikers Wall of Fame”, and will undoubtedly sleep well that night. Be sure to claim “Molechunkamunk: Millbrook”, the warm-up micro while you’re at it.
One last thing. Maintenance of this cache, as well as accessibility to it will be very limited from approximately Thanksgiving though ice-out. Travel bugs are encouraged in the cache, but those left too late in the season may spend the winter. Have fun. Respect Mother Nature. Tell us about your adventure. Enjoy!
Here it is folks... the "paddlehikers wall of fame":
*Whlrgog-ti-dos (congrats on the FTF!)
*Rudeman_j (and company)
*Parmachenee
*MHD-G310 (with son and caching K9!)
*Lban & Son
*Cherry Valley Pirates
*Volraz et Miry (1st of 2007!!)
*Jashounds and/et *Marbleguy ... (All we can say is, WOW! These guys actually did the entire six caches in the Molechunkamunk series and more, in ONE day! When they get out of traction and back on solid foods, dinner is on us)!
*Kaching Karen & TAT
*Boatrs
*LaughingTerry
*tandemstoker
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
1. gnyy cvar
2. fznyy cvar ba ebpxf