Elkhorn Virtual Cache
This cache has been locked, but it is available for viewing.
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(virtual)
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Located in the jewel of the central coast, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, this virtual cache will afford a leisurely hike amongst beautiful scenery and bountiful wildlife. This is a multi virtual that will require finding some information along the way to put together some missing coordinates. Email verification required for logging this cache. Park hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Please obey all park rules (particularly no pets and no off trail).
The coordinates above will take you to the door of the Visitors Center, where the first order of business will be to pay for your park pass ($2.50/person). Admission is free under the following circumstances:
1. Holders of a valid California fishing or hunting license.
2. Members of the California Wildlife Campaign.
3. Children under the age of 16.
After finishing the registration, you may want to look at the various displays set up at the center regarding plant and animal identification. Two displays you will need to see (and are hard to miss) are the giant Great Blue Heron foot coming down through the ceiling near the front desk. The other display you will need to find is the three dimensional relief map near the center of the building showing how water flows through the watershed that feeds the estuary.
Question 1: How many times larger is the Heron foot compared to a real life Heron. Call this number A.
Question 2: What is the scale of the the relief map table (i.e. how many inches per mile). Call this number B.
Your next stop will be a magnificent overlook at the end of a paved trail. First, however, rinse your shoes in the tubs of bleach before heading out on the hike in order to prevent the spread of Sudden Oak Death disease. The coordinates of the second waypoint is:
N 36.49.004
W 121 44.004
There is a raised platform with spotting scopes (permanently affixed in the asphalt) and a survey marker here. Oh ya, you might want to check out the view here.
Question 3: How many spotting scopes are permanently affixed here. Occasionally the rangers have additional scopes here mounted on tripods, but we won't count those. Call this number C.
Question 4: In the center of the platform, fixed in the asphalt is a surveyors marker. Stamped in the center of the bronze marker is the name of the station, starting with ELK and a number. Call this number D.
Now we'll stroll down the hill to the following coordinates:
N 36 49.107
W 121 44.142
Located in front of these coordinates is a barn. Yep, this used to be a dairy farm a few years back, and the name of the farm is emblazoned above the entrance to the barn.
Question 5: Count the number of letters of each word on the sign, made of welded pipe pieces. The first letter is obviously broken, but we'll count that one too. We'll call that number E and F.
That's probably enough numbers to work with now. The final solution will be to find two objects in the Reserve with the following coordinates. Rest assured that the two objects are fairly close together, and no significant backtracking will be involved if you get lost.
First Object:
N 36 49.GHI
W 121 44.JKL
G=F
H=C
I=D+E
J=B+C
K=B
L=C
Second Object:
N 36 49.MNO
W 121 44.PQR
M=F
N=C
O=D+F
P=F
Q=A-D
R=B+C
In the center of each object will be something to identify. On the first object will be a phrase/words. On the second object will be some numbers. Email me with the answers and good luck.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Obgu bowrpgf ner orapurf jvgu vafpevcgvbaf va gur pragre.