As a safety
reminder, it is important to wear
BLAZE ORANGE when geocaching during
hunting season. While hunting is not permitted on many TNC
preserves, poaching does occur, and neighboring properties may have
hunting activities.
This is the second stop on our 11-cache Berger
Sanctuary tour. The terrain is not as gentle as the approach to #1,
but it's nothing too bad - just watch your step. The hide is simple
and traditional, and it's adjacent to the trail, so there's no need
to stray far. We are calling you here to focus on the environment,
not challenge your caching abilities! Take a look around for your
next smiley.
NOTE: If you haven't read the story of this beautiful
woodland, check out
GC1B0CK, the first cache in
the series. Even if you do know the setup, please look over the
reminders that follow below. It's important that we respect the
rules of the preserve AND the property rights of the adjoining
residents and businesses - we will be caching here only at the
pleasure of them all. The Nature Conservancy has graciously granted
permission for us to lure you to this pristine haven with these
caches; we must prove to them that we can all tread very
lightly.
REMEMBER!
* PARK ONLY at the PARKING COORDINATES.
* NO NIGHT CACHING - Please don't arrive until after
sunrise; leave enough time to exit the area before dusk.
* The series is best done in one trip and in numbered
order. The total distance is about 3 miles.
* NO BUSHWHACKING; STAY ON THE CLEARLY MARKED TRAILS. All
hides are either immediately adjacent to the paths or a short
distance away.
* NO DOGS or BIKES or MOTORIZED VEHICLES.
* BE AWARE THAT WEE ONES MIGHT BE STRESSED. Each cache
has its own terrain rating, but within the entire trek, you will
encounter some steep climbs and areas where you must take extra
caution - plank walks over swampy sections, log bridges, fallen
trees to climb over, and so on. Just consider all your team
members' abilities.
GETTING TO THE PRESERVE: On Route 17, you'll see the
entrance signboard to BELVEDERE PLANTATION.
Traveling south, turn left onto BELVEDERE DRIVE just past the
entrance. GPS maps recognize and name the road, but it's difficult
to see and NOT marked with a street sign. The gravel road angles
sharply off Route 17.
Going north, the road is before the entrance. It's harder to see
from that direction, and turning right is awkward and dangerous!
Please be careful - you might want to drive past, and then turn
around to approach going south.
The gravel road is private, but it is the sole way to access The
Sanctuary. The business owner wants us to park ONLY at the given
coords - they should lead you to the large grassy area in front of
the old shed on the right - before the first white house.
From the parking area, it is about a 0.22 mile walk to the
Berger Preserve Trailhead - again, on the right. It is clearly
marked with a sign. As you're walking, you may encounter big trucks
from the sand/gravel pit which also adjoins preserve property.