Welcome to the Hemlocks
Natural Area!
Come see one of the last few stands of virgin hemlock trees.
These large towering hemlocks give us a glimpse of what the region
looked like over 200 years ago when the pioneers first came. Here,
the PA state tree reaches heights in excess of 100 feet and
diameters greater than 2 feet. Some of the hemlocks are so large
that it takes 2 people to put your arms around their trunks. The
average age for the trees is between 300 and 500 years old. This
obscure gem is tucked away in the Tuscarora
State Forest in a narrow ravine along Patterson Run.
Unfortunately, the hemlocks are infected by the Wooly
Adelgid, so these giant trees may not be around forever. So
come now, explore, be amazed, and enjoy!
The Hemlocks Natural Area is located along Hemlock Road, near
the Big
Spring State Park. The parking area is located at N40° 14.108
W77° 38.658. There is a nearby picnic table, which is convenient if
you brought a lunch/snack.
This multi-staged geocache gives you a tour of the Hemlocks
Natural Area. Since DCNR does not permit geocaches inside of a
natural area, there are several "virtual" stages from which you
collect "clues" to derive the final cache coordinates, which is
located outside of the natural area.
Enjoy your journey! Geocaching is more than just
numbers.
In accordance to DCNR guidelines, this cache will expire on
March 21, 2014.
STAGE 1: N 40° 14.108 W
77°38.658
At the parking area, there’s a very large sign with a map
of the Hemlocks Natural Area. There are several bolts which go
vertically thru the sign, which protrude out the tippy-top. Count
them. There are more than 2, but less than 6. This number will be
referred to as "C".
Near the entrance of the Hemlock trail, there’s a monument
with a metal plaque indicating the year that the Hemlocks Natural
Area became a national landmark. This number will be referred to as
"D".
STAGE 2: N 40° 14.537 W
77°38.368
There’s a foot bridge near these coordinates. I recommend
taking the Hemlock trail, even though it can be slippery. Count the
number of floor boards. It’s an even number that’s
greater than 25, but less than 35. This number will be referred to
as "A".
STAGE 3: N 40° 14.070 W
77°38.454
There’s foot bridge near these coordinates, too. If
you’re coming from Stage #2, then I recommend taking the Rim
trail. You’ll pass all the big hemlock trees along the way.
Count the number of floor boards on this bridge. It’s an even
number that’s greater than 25, but less than 35. This bridge
has fewer floorboards. This number will be referred to as "B".
FINAL STAGE:
Solve the equations based on the values that you have collected
from around the natural area.
ww = 10 + C
xxx = (D – (37 * B)) + 2
yy = 35 + C
zzz = (A * B) + 63
Final Stage Coordinates: N40° ww.xxx W77° yy.zzz
The final stage is a 2 quart plastic Lock-N-Lock container.