Any Old Skier... Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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...gets a dreamy look on his face when you mention Mount Tom.
No, it has nothing to do with the beautiful trail up the hill from Faulkner Park in Woodstock; the illuminated star on the mountain in winter; or the spectacular views of the idyllic Ottauqueechee River valley. It doesn't even have anything to do with the Star Mountain cache a few feet from the summit!
In fact, the "real" Mount Tom is about half a mile north of the summit.
We get dreamy-eyed because we remember Mount Tom, the old ski area that opened in the early 50's with just a couple rope tows and some of the fastest slopes around; was a pioneer in snowmaking and grooming in about '62; got sold to the Rockefellers (who owned the Woodstock Inn and nearby Suicide Six ski area, which is still operating); and closed in 1980 when the Rockefellers needed capital to finance the two "new" chairlifts at Suicide Six (they're now decidedly old chairlifts!).
Mount Tom was a great, friendly little place, and a lot more challenging than its pedigree-- a couple poma lifts and a rope tow, 500 vertical feet, and a small base lodge-- would seem to indicate.
It was the kind of place where a lot of us learned to ski; where your parents could drop you off in the morning and pick you up in the evening without worrying; and where a dollar was way more than you needed for a full day of hot chocolate, candy bars, and hot dogs.
There's a great web site (visit link) that shares some old photos and fond reminiscences about the old hill.
Today there are just a few remnants of Mount Tom: the base lodge is now an office; some of the pads and lift hardware are still there, wasting away; and the trails are still mostly clear. Just the other day, it was saved from foreclosure and inevitable development, and it'll stay the way it is for a while!
This cache is at the "summit," that is, the very top of the old poma lift. There are several ways to get there.
The most direct is to park at the Mount Tom Farmer's Market lot across the road (43 38.225, 72 31.451) and walk up the old lift-line. It's also fun to walk up the network of old ski trails, and you don't need your GPS most of the way; just remember to keep going uphill!
There are several other good options, though, depending on how much time you have and how far you want to walk.
You can walk up from Woodstock (43 37.428, 72.31.491) via the summit (why not stop and grab GCM417 Star Mountain along the way?)or a variety of trails; wander up the meandering bridle trails from the National Park parking lot (43 38.12, 72 30.964); start from the Prosper parking lot (43 33.061, 72 29.833) and visit the Pogue on the way; or you can take the long way up from Thomas Hill Road in West Woodstock (park by the cemetary: 43 33.061, 72 29.833).
Best to stop by the Chamber of Commerce booth in Woodstock, the Woodstock Inn, or the National Park and pick up the wonderful map, "Walk Woodstock," before you head out.
The cache itself is a small lock & lock. It contains some nice swag and a gift certificate from the Woodstock Inn for FTF; use it to reward yourself with a nice burger and a cold beer!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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