Fern Loop Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This micro-cache may be very difficult to find without the clues in the text.
Driving Directions
Carlisle, MA at Great Brook Farm State Park (GBF), Fern Loop Hiking Trail
Drive South on Lowell Street, Pass Curve Street, and Park at the pullover at the Brook (Fee required, see below). Cross the street to begin hiking on the Fern Loop. Hiking maps are available at the GBF main parking areas. Free parking is available at the Cranberry Bog, do the Otter Slide Cache (or Elephant-Hump/Elephant-Nose) & continue East.
From about April 15 (?) to December 1, a fee is charged for parking. Free parking is available at the end of Ember Lane, a short distance south on Lowell Road. Hike into the woods from the parking area. For details see the Elephant-Hump/Elephant-Nose cache listing:
(visit link)
Cache Location
Hike the Fern loop, turn right at the first intersection. Continue to intersection 42 (sign & labeled on the map). Take the side trail about 200 feet West to some downed trees. One of the downed trees is resting against a large tree with a trail marker. Check that downed tree, under the blue trail marker. The cache should be concealed behind a bare, 1-foot-plus tree section. Please stand at the cache, or out of sight of the nearby house, while logging. The previous Fern Loop cache disappeared under mysterious circumstances. You are now half way around the Fern Loop, continue around the loop to return; or continue West to Otter Slide Cache and the Carlisle Cranberry Bog. This log-only cache is in a 35 mm film can; you will need a pen.
Great Brook Farm State Park is one of the finest hiking areas near Boston and is home to many caches. Fern Loop Cache highlights a beautiful, underutilized area of this park. It features fine views (some over water), interesting wildlife, an old foundation, and fine stonewalls. A keen observer may be able to find an old dam, and other evidence that a mill was once located in this area.
When combined with Otter Slide cache, Fern Loop provides a walk linking GBF and the Carlisle Cranberry Bog, home to at least 3 caches. Loopy Travel Bug Drop creates a walking loop with this cache. The caches Fern Loop II and Elephant-Hump/Elephant-Nose can be reached easily, walking from this cache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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