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Soils of Rhode Island #40 V2.0: Paxton Catena Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

SearchNSeekNEnjoy: I am archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in the last reviewer note. The cache owner should retrieve any remaining cache contents at their earliest convenience.

Thanks,
SearchNSeekNEnjoy
Volunteer geocaching.com reviewer

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Hidden : 2/22/2016
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:

This is the 40th (second version) in a series of caches honoring the 58 different types of soils found within the State of Rhode Island. Soils were a major factor in the settling and early farming of RI, and soils continue to influence our industry, recreation, wildlife, and homes. As you complete this series, please take note of how the soil is determined in-part by the landscape position (summit, sideslope, drainageway), which in turn affects the vegetation.


I was never happy with the original version of this cache.  Continued issues with the containers and excessive bushwhacking have encouraged me to create this cache as a replacement.  A kinder, gentler SoRI if you will. Each stage is within 20' feet of an established trail.  Stage 1 is located on the outskirts of a forgotten historical cemetery. Some research revealed it to be WG62, the Caleb Whitford Lot. It is no surprise that the Whitford family lot is located here. The Paxton soils here are well drained and probably made for decent farming and dry cellar holes. Stage 2 is located within an area of Woodbridge soil. It is very similar to the Paxton soil, but has a slightly higher water table. Stage 3 is located near some swampy Ridgebury/Whitman soils. Stage 1 is a micro, stage 2 is a small, and the final is a regular-sized lock-n-lock. Please wear your orange, rehide each stage well, and enjoy the hike!

Below is the complete description that was written for the original SoRI #40. Finders of the original are encouraged to find this cache for a new find. Finding either this cache or the original SoRI #40 qualifies as a find if you are trying to find all 44 caches and have your name immortalized on the cache page for SoRI Survivor Bonus: Bjm3rd Tribute Cache

This multi will lead you through what is known as a soil catena. Catena, which is Latin for chain, is a topographic complex of related soils that formed from similar parent materials but differ in their drainage classes (depth to seasonal high water tables).

Several caches in this cache series have been part of a catena. Canton-Charlton/Sutton/Leicester, Enfield/Tisbury/Raypol, and Newport/Pittstown/Stissing/Mansfield have been caches in this series that are considered catenas. Each of these soils go from well drained soils at the top of the landscape to poorly drained wetland soils at the bottom of the landscape. What makes this cache different, is that the 3 parts of the multi are in a fairly straight line going lower in elevation from the northeast to the southwest. Other caches I have placed have been in scattered locations dependent upon available space and hiding spots!

This catena consists of 3 soil map units - the well drained Paxton, the moderately well drained Woodbridge, the poorly drained Ridgebury, and the very poorly drained Whitman. Ridgebury and Whitman are so similar and occur so frequently together that they are mapped together (and also with the somewhat similar Leicester).

Each of these soils formed in dense glacial till that was deposited directly by the glaciers 14,000 - 18,000 years ago. The massive weight of the glacier compressed the deeper soil layers. These deeper soil layers are extremely firm and often feel like bedrock when hit with a shovel. This soil layer is also dense enough to limit the infiltration of water, causing what is known as a "perched" water table (free water in the soil above the true water table).

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Fgntr 1 - Nfurf gb nfurf, qhfg gb qhfg Fgntr 2 - Nal Phzoreynaqvgr urer? Fgntr 3 - Jrqtrq haqre ebpx

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)