no ponds east
Updated 9/13/23 Nineteen years after I first started playing this game and sixteen after placing this multi, the route here is pretty much the same: there are still no ponds and it’s still one of my favorite local hikes. Over the years, the path has improved near the start, continued eroding by the highway (dirt bikes and hills equal three foot deep ruts), sprouted a giant cell tower and bike lanes by Clark Road, and seen pines grow from seedlings to 25 foot tall trees. Many of first year finders have dropped out of the game though others continue to play on, and while the game has morphed into rmostly roadside P&Gs, some folks still like a long hike in the woods. If that's you, come check it out.
The two and a half mile hike starts at the hidden entrance and meanders east and downhill along the red dot trail initially before jogging south to the unmarked but obvious dirt bike trail along the property boundary, rolling over the pine covered sand dunes up and down several hills, some fairly steep, skirts the incongruous cell tower, crosses over a hidden intermittent stream, then Clark Road and a section of pavement (use the bike lane), before reentering the woods and the preserve’s western section. I suggest using the readily available Open Street maps which do a good job of showing the trails here.
The trails range from wide well maintained woods roads and forest trails to dirt bike ruts to pavement, with a small section of bushwhacking with some steep up and downhill sections adding variety. The stage markers are all different and range in size from pretty small to huge and the coordinate repeatability has a similar span (use the hints). There is usually no mud to deal with but you’ll want protective clothing and decent shoes for the hike. Mark your car. You'll be relatively near it at the end, but you won't be able to see it. Have fun.
edexter