The History: In the late nineteenth century the Centennial Springs Hotel was erected on the Klapperthal side of Neversink Mountain. The hotel was never a financial success and in 1909 was purchased for use as a Tuberculosis Sanitarium. With no cure for the disease many people opted to spend their final days in the resort like settings of the TB Sanitariums. 
This voluntary quarantining, more than any other factor, helped stem the spread of the disease. Eventually penicillin reduced the need for the Sanitariums, but its invention wasn't in time to save my great uncle who died in the Berks County TB Sanitarium in the late 1920s. Not much information remains about the sanatorium on Neversink mountain - but some of the original foundations have survived. If you follow the waypoints, this cache will act as a mini tour of Reading's "other mountain".
The Hike: The recommended approach to the cache is from the Klapperthal/Forest Hills side though the mountain is covered in usable trails. Follow the red blazed Upper Glen Trail and head for the primitive trails when you get to The Pond.
The Hide: The cache is a small "fuse can" painted for camouflage. Nothing needs to be moved to find it but given the surroundings it could be difficult to spot. Bring a flash-light. You don't need it to find the cache but it could come in handy to explore the fountain pond & original hotel cellar. Are those meat hooks?
The cache location borders private property. Please approach GZ from the South and do not venture up the hill to the East or climb on top of the structure. Protect our right to public property by respecting their right to private property. Thanks, be safe and enjoy the hunt!
The Berks County Conservancy allows the public to hide geocaches on land it protects provided they ask for approval. We will provide the "Approved Geocache" logo and ask that it is included with the description. For a copy of our Gecaching Policy and Regulations pertaining to our properties please contact our office.
