Well-stocked, camoflauge taped Lock 'N Lock container hidden in typical Highlands manner.
Wawayanda Park maps are more useful in this area,
although the NY-NJ trail maps do cover some portions.
"Generic" trail markings have been made by ATV'ers/others.
This cache is located in Wawayanda State Park in Vernon, NJ. This area of the park was originally purchased in the mid to late 1920's by a local "character", Doc Livingston. Many of the trails, lakes, etc. in this tract bear his name. The cache is hidden near the ruins of his cabin and pond.
Doc Livingston was a medical doctor around the turn of the century, having a NYC practice with many prominent patients. Doc Livingston purportedly authored several medical books as well, and, claimed to have a discovered a cure for cancer. While in the area, consider what it must have been like traveling to NYC in those days under those conditions (roads? what roads!). Doc Livingston was in the military during WWI. He must have been exposed to many of the horrors of battle as his medical license was revoked after the war for "mental trauma". Doc Livingston was bitter about this and destroyed his books, notes and samples of the cancer cure.
Doc Livingston and his daughter undertook the task of building a 3 story log cabin (with a tree growing through the center), hand digging a pond and constructing a dam... "just for something to do". Doc, nor his daughter, possessed the carpentry skills necessary. Alas, Bob Vila wasn't born yet, so the project was never completed fully.
After falling into disrepair and being vandalized by woods goers, the cabin was eventually burned to the ground (appropriate permits being obtained) after a heavy snowfall. All that remains is part of the fireplace and perhaps part of the cellar hole/foundation. The pond, across from the cabin, is still visible, but was drained many years ago. Doc Livingston eventually moved to Sussex where he died of natural causes. Trails in the area of the cache may have been used 'back in the day' to carry supplies, etc. to the cabin site. Horse/wagon, or, very brave 'automobilers' may have traversed the same paths hikers/cachers now use. If Doc had lived longer, perhaps HE would have been the inventor of 4WD/4x4's!
The cache area is home to different varieties of plants and animals. Poisonous plants (ivy, oak & sumac) are found here. Animals include black bears, coyotes, deer. In warmer seasons, snakes will also be present. Copperheads and rattlesnakes are native to the area, as are a number of harmless, non-venomous species.
*** Also: always remember to check for ticks! ***
There have been some reported sightings of mountain lions, but these have not been verified to date. Please be aware of what to do should you have an encounter and act accordingly. Safe encounters should leave you with a wonderful memory of Mother Nature's wonder and maybe some pictures, should you bring a camera!
Proper footwear is a must; the area is rocky, somewhat rough and at least one water crossing can be counted on. Hunting is allowed in season. Orange safety attire should be worn during this time, or caching can be done safely on Sundays when hunting is not permitted in NJ.
As a suggestion, have seasonal clothing with you, sufficient water or sports drink, walking stick/staff, flashlight, spare batteries, gps (of course!), tick/insect repellant and anything else you feel would add to safety or convenience.
Cell phone service should be possible in most of the areas at or surrounding the cache site; service will depend on carrier and conditions.
GPS Satellite reception, season of year, time of day, weather, etc. may affect the coordinates you receive and their accuracy. Coordinates were measured using a Garmin 60CSX in the "average" mode; 25-30 readings were averaged; when checked, accuracy at GZ was found to be less than 10 feet.
Enjoy and feel free to practice C.I.T.O. during your visit. Other caches are in the area as well, with more on the way!
Note:
The Doc Livingston information was taken verbatim from a paper book titled Lost Civilizations of Vernon, published circa 1990. I could not find the original copy containing the ISBN number, publisher, authors or necessary information to provide proper credit to the authors. The information used above is their work and not mine. I thank them for its use and apologize for not giving proper notation!
Geocache Identification Permit Approval Number: WSP2024092304
Permit Expires on: 09/23/2027
