This cache is part of a series of three multi-caches that partially replicate the information made available in hikes led by park docents - like us! The other two in the series are Serpentine and Perennials.
This cache takes you on a loop hike in Edgewood Park. The Sylvan Trail begins at the park's picnic area, see the extra waypoint. Remember that Edgewood is a nature preserve, and visitors should stay on the trails to avoid impact on the vegetation and habitat. All of the clues and flowers described below are easily accessible from the trail. They are in order encountered if you go clockwise around the trail, but there's no reason you can't go the other way. Ready for a walk? Begin on the Sylvan Trail
Waypoint 1: N 37 28.270 W 122 16.608
Here's a great specimen of Hillside Gooseberry (Ribes californicum), that medium-sized spiny bush in front of you. In early spring it has small, hanging white blossoms that quickly turn into reddish, spiny berries. The natives used the berries for food after scalding them to remove the pokey covering.
Clue: Look around for a brown marker paddle. It has a single digit on it. Add 3 to that digit to get A. At Post 7 continue on the Sylvan Trail.
Waypoint 2: N 37 28.076 W 122 16.737
Welcome to the Fern Grotto. Edgewood is home to the Coastal Wood Fern, Western Sword Fern, Polypody, Maiden-hair, Goldenback and Coffee Ferns. (Pictures coming soon.) How many of them can you spot within 10 feet of this spot?
Clue: This is a gimme. Look under your feet for a man made structure. What number does its end remind you of? That's B.
Waypoint 3: N 37 28.100 W 122 16.657
Here you'll find one of earliest bloomers in the park, the Western Leatherwood shrub (Dirca occidentalis). Visit in late January or early February for the best chance to see its bright yellow blossoms. This shrub is one of the rare and endangered species of Edgewood.
Clue: Look nearbyl on the trail for the largest sign at a trail junction. How many letters in the second word of the middle line? That's C. Continue uphill on the Sylvan Trail.
Waypoint 4: N 37 27.983 W 122 16.684
In early to mid spring you'll find the maroon-red Indian Warrior (Pendicularis densiflora) flowering along the trail here and for several hundred yards uphill. This plant is a hemi-parasite: In addition to making its own food by photosynthesis, it also borrows some from the roots of the oaks that grow here.
Clue: Look for a nearby park sign with seven words on it. The number of letters in the last word is D.
Waypoint 5: N 37 27.895 W 122 16.740
This will take you a short ways off the Sylvan Trail at Post 16, to the edge of the serpentine grassland habitat for which Edgewood is famous. Native plants that have been crowded out elsewhere still flourish on this poor, heavy metal laden soil. In late spring, you should be able to see Tidy Tips (Layis platyglossia) and Goldfields (Lasthenia californica), as well as others.
Clue: You're probably leaning on the fence here. How many posts hold it up? Add 5 to that number to get E. Return to Post 16 and take the Serpentine Trail. At Post 11 take a hard right onto the Franciscan Trail.
Waypoint 6: N 37 28.114 W 122 16.851
You're just about to start downhill, but first pause to observe the perennial Silver Bush Lupine (Lupinus albifrons), with showy purple flower spikes from mid-spring into early summer. It's a member of the pea family, and like many such has nitrogen fixing bacteria on its roots that improve the soil.
Clue: Hey, there's another one of those seven word park signs! How many letters in the second word? That's F. At Post 8 take the Baywood Glen Trail.
Waypoint 7: N 37 28.235 W 122 16.621
This stop is to point out non-native plants. Although Edgewood is famous for its native flower displays, it is also home to introduced species. John Isaac built a house in 1894 in what is now the picnic area, using parts of buildings moved from an 'International Exposition' that was held in Golden Gate Park that year. He and the succeeding landowner, Henry Finkler, planted extensive gardens around the home, which over the years have run wild. Look around and you may spy ornamental plum, eucalyptus, acacia, and even a solitary fan palm, all of them introduced. Periwinkle, snow drop and other escaped flowers are flourishing as well. Look carefully into the bushes and you may see pipes and old walkways remaining from the old gardens.
Clue: You should be standing near a low wooden retaining wall along the trail. How many pipes hold it in place? Add 1 to get G. At Post 7 turn left onto the Sylvan Trail.
Final: N 37 28.ABC W 122 1D.EFG
Just a short drive from the park. You're looking for a camo-taped large cosmetics jar. The location would allow an evil hide, but it's not - think simple.
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.