From 1890 to 1932, this park was a nationally-known health spa with 27 mineral springs containing seven different minerals including sulfur, magnesia, iron, and naturally
carbonated soda springs. Today, you'll see a number of these springs as you search for this cache.
This cache was originally hidden in a different spot within this same park but was trashed there twice. I've relocated the cache to a different spot that has better views and far less poison oak in the summer months. I've also made this cache into a multi-cache so you have the opportunity to learn a bit about this park's interesting history. Since the cache is in a new spot, if you have already found this cache once in its original location, feel free to score it again as a find once you successfully find it in its new spot.
This cache is a 1 1/2 quart Tupperware container with clear sides and a white lid. It's not all that big so bring small to medium-sized things to trade. Initially, the cache contained the following items:
- a laminated welcome card
- a log book, pen and pencil
- a sealed tin of Cinnamon Altoids (always!)
- a wooden top
- several interesting coins, including two Mardi Gras doubloons found in the
Toro Cache
- a lei
- a new Hot Wheels car
- five colorful dice (5d6)
- a corncob pipe
- a brooch
I've rated this cache a three for difficulty only because it's a multi-cache and you'll have to do a little math to determine the cache's location. I've also rated the terrain a three because you'll have to hike up some switchbacks and the last hundred feet or so are very rocky. The hike isn't that bad though, and if you bring water and watch your step you'll be fine.
To find this cache:
Step One:
Go to the wooden structure at N37° 23.770 W 121° 48.228 and read the two historical markers
you find there. Find this building's San Jose Historic Landmark number and add two;
let this new number be AA. Subtract 1353 from the year the structure was completed and
call this number DDD.
Step Two:
Walk a short distance to the centennial plaque at N37° 23.754 W 121° 48.105 and
find out the year this park was created. Subtract 1744 from the year and call
this BBB.
Step Three:
You've almost gathered all the information you need to find the cache. Visit
this park's mineral springs and find the explanatory sign at N37° 23.866 W 121° 47.844.
According to the sign, how many medical doctors certified this park's waters to be
beneficial? Add 36 to this number and call this CC.
Step Four:
That's it! You'll find the cache at N37° AA.BBB W 121° CC.DDD.
You won't have to do any bushwhacking to get to the cache's location; simply following well-marked trails will get you within about a hundred feet of the cache. After that, you'll need to cover some rocky terrain. Step carefully!
Please re-hide the cache at least as well as it was hidden when you found it. Use the hint below only if you are absolutely stuck, it pretty much gives away the cache's location.
Other caches in this series:
'B' Is For Beachhead,
'C' Is For Cave Dwellers,
'D' Is For Desert Phone Booth,
'E' Is For Expedition,
'F' Is For Faultline,
'G' Is For Ghost Town,
'H' Is For Highpoint, and
'I' Is For Inverness.
Have fun!