PLEASE NOTE, WHILE THE MAIN PART OF THIS HUNT IS ON THE HANGING ROCK STATE PARK PROPERTY ... ON THE MAIN TRAILS ... THE PHYSICAL CACHE IS NOT ON THE STATE PARK PROPERTY. THIS WAS DONE WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF WORKING WITHIN THE STATE'S RULES NOT ALLOWING CACHE SITES WITHIN NC STATE PARKS ... BUT STILL TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A WONDERFUL TRAIL WITHIN OUR STATE PARK SYSTEM FOR A LITTLE ADVENTURE AND FANTASTIC VIEWS. THE FIVE WAYPOINTS WITHIN THE PARK ACTUALLY USE PARK SIGNS/MARKERS OR IN THE CASE OF THE TOWER ... INITIALS PLACED THERE YEARS AGO ... BY SOMEONE LONG FORGOTTEN. IN NO CASE HAS ANYTHING BEEN ALTERED OR PLACED IN THE PARK. PLEASE RESPECT THE PARK AND ENJOY!
There are five locations that you will need to visit in order to determine the GPS coordinates of the actual cache (located near … BUT OUTSIDE THE PARK PROPERTY). The start of the cache hunt will begin at the main coordinates above. You will need pencil and paper. You can print out the work sheet if you wish … and just fill in the coordinates as you go. The markers are along the main trail … coordinates were made under heavy tree cover in the lower areas and under heavy overcast skies … but you should have no problem finding the reference points. You will need to fill out the coordinates in the order you get them into the following: N _ _ _ _._ _ _ , W _ _ _ _._ _ _ . Input these into your GPS and the cache is yours to find!
The main cache (#6) is a very small blue plastic container with a screw on lid … it contains a log, collector cards and my first camera log. It is too small to receive anything … so don't worry about bringing anything to exchange … just log it, take a picture and a card if you wish. After logging the main cache … go ahead and drive to the end of the main road … neat place … a bit trashy … but check it out … interesting “ruins”. One note, the cache is very close to the road like I mentioned, PLEASE use discretion not to attract attention to yourself … so the cache will remain hidden. Four wheelers use the area … so look around before pulling the cache … it is well hidden, so please hide it when your done … so it will remain safe. Use a stick to retrieve … in case any little critters have take up residence … (that’s for you Kathy!).
NOW THE CLUES:
Main Coordinates: This will place you at a small marker.
First number: There are two numbers at this location, use the number to the right for this digit.
Second number: Multiply the two numbers at this location by each other … for this digit.
NOTE: This marker has been defaced. The number originally on the marker was "23". Just in case the state doesn't fix the marker. Thanks to "YF Tony" for the heads up!
Second Coordinate: N 36 23.161, W 80 16.904. At this location you will find
Third number: This sign shows a certain number of trails … subtract the number of trails going to the left from the number of trails going to the right.
Fourth number: The number of miles to Cook's Wall consist of two numbers. What is the digit on the right of the decimal point?
Fifth number: Add the two digits in the mileage listing for the first trail on the sign … together for the number in this position.
Sixth number: Subtract left hand digit from the right hand digit on the mileage listed for the fourth trail on the sign.
Seventh number: Round the mileage of the second listed trail to a whole number
Third Coordinate: N 36 23.141, W 80 17.449. At this location you will find
Eighth number: Add the two digits of the first listed trail together … to get this number.
Ninth number: Take number you calculated for sequence eight and subtract the single digit listed for the second trail.
Tenth number: Round the mileage of the third trail to a whole number for this position.
Fourth Coordinate: N 36 23.893, W 80 16.977. At this location you will find
Eleventh number: In the S.E. corner … of the tower deck … there are three sets of initials carved together … one above the other. How many initials are listed for the second individual?
Twelfth number: How many total letters (including repeats) are there for the three individuals?
Fifth Coordinate: N 36 23.437, W 80 16.630. At this location you will find
Thirteenth number: How many lines of information are on this sign?
Fourteenth number: What is the only number showing on the bottom line of the information?
Now plug in these numbers … in order … and you’re off to the main cache. Once the photos are all taken I will post them to the page for your viewing pleasure.
Again … when you find the main cache ... the area is visible from the road ... Please be cautious not to attract attention. Please also be sure to recover the cache completely to avoid accidental detection.