Forest Lake Cache Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This Cache is located in the Methuen Town Forest at Forest Lake in Methuen, MA. Park at N 42 44.240’ W 071 14.862’. The Methuen Ski Area/Merrimack Valley Ski area was open during the 70's and early 80's and offered skiing on 2 main open slopes on a 200-foot vertical drop. 2 T-bars and one tow served the slope. There isn't much left of the slopes, just a path up each one. The lodge is gone, but there is still a parking lot.
The cache itself is a pretty large size ammo can that has been spray painted due to rust problems. You can stay on the paths/trails all the way until the end where some very minor bush whacking is needed.
The Methuen Town Forest was established in 1924 on land that formerly served as the town poor farm. Town poor farms were a widely practiced means of welfare throughout New England up until the end of the 19th century. Responsibility for welfare then shifted from towns to county or state governments, providing the opportunity for communities to retain ownership of town farm woodlots and convert them to town forest. An additional 23 acres were acquired over the course of several years. Over 43,500 trees were planted in this 24-acre forest. Today, there is a waterfront area on Forest Lake that has a public boat launch, swimming area, bathrooms/changing area, and a playground and picnic tables. This area is open from 10 am until 7 pm every day during the summer. The winter hours are from dawn to dusk. The lake boasts some good ice fishing during the winter as well as regular fishing during the summer. Just a word of caution, dirt bikes, atv's and snow mobiles can be found on the trails, even though they're not supposed to, so just be careful.
Here are the original contents of the cache:
"Kid's Play Free" coupons
Spoon
2 sets of chopsticks
2 monkey fists
6 assorted coasters
Vertical Dreams brochure (go climb, also check out Mill City Rock Gym in Dracut, MA)
Pickney Island Trail Guide
Rock 101.7 sticker
Bead Lizard
Letter Opener
2 golf balls
2 bars of soap
Book of matches
Hummer
2 dice
American Flag pin
4 guitar picks
2 .38 special bullet shells
9 mm Luger dummy round (the round has already been fired and there is no gun powder, so there's no need to worry)
2 Pence coin from England
Hotel Keys to the Marriott and Caesar's Palace
Lord of the Rings gift card to Loew's (it's not worth anything, sorry)
Light up McDonald's toy car (Happy Meal toy)
Slinky
2 decks of cards
2 yo-yos
2 bottles of bubbles
Mr. Pyro 24/7
"Once an Eagle, always an Eagle..."
*The coordinates were averaged from 10 waypoints taken at the cache to give the best possible waypoint. Tree cover makes it difficult. Good luck!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)