GCQ6K5 Merritt Madness (Traditional Cache) in Connecticut, United States created by Four Distinct Personalities

This cache has been archived.

Four Distinct Personalities: Was in the neighorhood today and wanted to check this one since a few DNFs occurred recently.

The cache was exactly where it should be and was in good shape.

I decided however to remove the cache since the state has removed about 75% of the wooded area where this resided, near the commuter lot, as part of its major tree clearing operation along the Merritt, and because I do not get to this area frequently any more.

Unfortunately the travel bug listed as residing in this cache was not there. Sent message to owner alerting him/her.

This spot is still a good one for someone else who would like to place a cache here....many commuters and travelers on the Merritt have grabbed a find at this one over the years!

GCQ6K5 ▼

A cache by Four Distinct Personalities Message this owner

Hidden : 8/18/2005

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is located just east of the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkway junction. Both are part of Connecticut state Route 15 and the Sikorsky Bridge serves as the boundary.

The Merritt Parkway is known as the Queen of Parkways with good reason: it's the most scenic highway in Connecticut and recognized as one of the most scenic of its kind in the nation. The Merritt Parkway's landscaping and layout was arranged with great care, and each of the more than 60 original bridges has its own unique ornamentation. Owing to its location (away from urban centers) and wide right-of-way, the Merritt Parkway is a scenic asset largely unmarred by roadside commercial development, even as traffic has greatly increased over the years.

The most interesting sight along the Wilbur Cross Parkway is the West Rock Tunnel in New Haven: the only highway tunnel in New England passing underneath a land feature. (Boston, for example, has tunnels underwater, under buildings and under the city, but not under a hill.) The hill at West Rock State Park isn't particularly tall, but tunneling through it proved to be the best choice. Going up the hill would have required tons of earthwork and ruined the park. Going south would have affected developed areas. Going north would have meant more rough terrain. The tunnel was built in less than a year for $2.5 million; adjusted for inflation in 2005, this is just under $20 million. It's hard to conceive of a tunnel being built that quickly or that cheaply from scratch today.

This is a quick, easy cache and dash to visit when leaving or passing through the Milford/New Haven area. A few minutes of bushwacking is all that is required. Terrain is a "2" only because of some brush piles that have been dumped around the cache area, and because you may need to dodge some poison ivy, if sensitive you'll likely want to wear long pants. The cache is hidden near a commuter parking lot (south of Route 15) right off of the exit 55 ramps, and very close to the Milford connector and less than 5 minutes from I-95. If coming up the connector from I-95 or Rt. 1, take the right-hand exit. Very centrally located to maximize the movement of TBs.

Do not bother with the stone walls in the area....the cache is not there! Note December 2012 - the area around the cache has changed drastically since the cache was placed due to hurricane damage of the surrounding trees...you will lilkely need to work your way around many fallen limbs and large branches to get access.

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This cache has been archived.

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Merritt Madness Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

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