Cherry Run
South of Interstate 80 at Lamar is a rugged expanse of mountain land known as the Cherry Run Gamelands (State Gamelands (SGL) 295). The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy acquired this land in 1979 by buying every share of stock in the B&R Lumber Company of Johnstown. Thus the Conservancy became the company and was able to transfer this 5,200 hectare tract to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at no cost.
Remnants of the logging days include several old dilapidated shacks and an abandoned car that nature is now reclaiming. Several tracts of old growth forest can also be found within the Gameland's boundary. Kudos to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
The trailhead to this geocache is at the Gamelands parking lot located 3.8 miles south of Lamar on State Route 2002. Parking coordinates: N 40° 59.473 W 77° 29.557.
Access the cache by following the red blazed trail leading from the parking lot. Please do not access the cache from the private land and cabin to the south. The red blazed trail crosses Cherry Run twice on foot bridges. Be advised, these bridges can be very slippery when wet. The red blazed trail ends when it intersects the Cherry Run Trail. Turn left and follow the Cherry Run Trail to the cache. On 10/30/2010, the Geocache was moved to a better location away from the dilapidated shack. You will need to cross Cherry Run either by fording the stream on stepping stones, or if the water levels are up, by using the two fallen trees nearby. A separate trail to return to parking can be found just North of GZ. Turn left (West) and follow this unmarked trail back to the red blazed trail near the first foot bridge. This makes a nice short loop in this pristine area. Enjoy the hunt!
Sections of the trail may be quite muddy so wear appropriate footwear. Remember that this is State Gamelands, so do not forget to wear orange during the hunting seasons.
Disclaimer: GPS reception is a bit sketchy in this tight hollow. Coordinates could only be set with no better than 30 ft. accuracy on our GPS at this location.
Congrats to the CARELS for the FTF!