Disclaimer- You must visit and photograph yourself at 18/67 lighthouses in Massachusetts (as listed in the waypoints) in order to log a "Found It" log with three of them being the 3 Sisters of Nauset Lights (required).
The coasts of Massachusetts have a great diversity of lighthouses. Some perched on rocky outcroppings, some built in the middle of a bay, and even some that are very isolated. There are also some that have been destroyed over time with some being replaced by skeletal towers. The oldest station, Boston Light, was established in 1716 while the last station established was the Buzzards Bay Entrance Light in 1961 (since replaced by an automated light on a steel tripod).
The posted coordinates includes 3 lighthouses, and are a main requirement for logging this cache. Three Sisters of Nauset are a trio of historic lighthouses placed with wooden towers on brick foundations in 1892. They were then decommissioned in 1911, and replaced by a new steel tower, the Nauset Light, in 1923. In 1983, the three were reunited and renovated to their current state, less than 400 yards west of their replacement, and in their original configuration. The site is definitely worth a visit, and helps you achieve 3 lighthouses from the list.
I've always had a fascination with lighthouses. In the past few years, I've even gone as far as to attempt to visit every lighthouse in the state. After visiting a similar cache concept with Covered Bridges, I figured this would be a great way to explore the various lighthouses in the state. So what are the requirements to the challenge?
1). You must visit 18 of the 67 lighthouses/skeletal towers in Massachusetts as highlighted in the waypoints included (do note that there are 64 waypoints; with one counting for 3 lighthouses [3 Sisters of Nauset] and the other for 2 [Nantucket Cliff Range Lights] for 67 total).
2). The posted coordinates are required to be visited, and includes 3 lighthouses on site. Yes, this means you will need to visit 15 other lighthouses in addition.
3). To prove your visit to each waypoint, provide one photo per location of your face (optional), a personal token or trackable, or something that represents you in your "Found It" log. (Some lighthouses can only be seen from a distance so you may have to get creative).
4). You may log your progress with a "Write Note", but please include your photos ONLY with your "Found It" log to make verification easier.
5). Any photo at anytime that fits the above criteria is acceptable. So if you visited a lighthouse on the list in Aug 2007, as long as your photo is of yourself (or represents you), it will suffice.
6). In Jan of 2023, Groundspeak decided to delete their entire benchmark database. As part of the rules for this challenge, I allowed pictures from logs of the benchmark pages. Since this is no longer possible, pictures will have to be uploaded here. As of Jan 2023, Groundspeak's sister website Waymarking only has 24 lighthouses listed. I've included those in the waypoints merely as informational. You're welcome to log them there, but it's not a requirement for this challenge. RIP Benchmarks!!
BONUS- I'll create a high score board for anyone who visits all 67 lighthouses. Some lighthouses are very tricky to see and visit. So even getting a good photo can be tough even with an actual good camera. Be creative and do your best!
Thanks to the hardwork of stevepre2, a GPX of MA Lighthouses is now available for download for those looking for an easy way to add the waypoints to a GPS, those who use PC programs such as GSAK, and for those who use various phone apps.
Waymarking's List of MA Lighthouses
Congrats to TheDonohoTribe for FTF! See their log and picture collage for a great example of logging this cache.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.