Once Around the Pond
. Updated 5/9/22: This four mile plus walk takes you once around the Long Pond Reservoir with numerous options for side trips. Follow the wide well maintained access road to reach the stages, then the narrow path to the final. Short bushwhack at the end.
The stages and cache are all within the conservation area and are placed with the authority's approval. Remember though: no going within 100' of the reservoir. All stages are on the "away from the water side" of the trail and close to it. The listed coordinates are for the entrance to the park with parking close by. Follow the arrow westerly towards the Water Dept. to the first stage. What was once a huge Water Tank is now a lawn...After locating the “virtual letter” (the only stage I didn't place) at stage one, proceed Once Around the Pond clockwise along the access road gathering letters at the stages as you go. Along the way, you'll pass by a number of other caches. All of the stages are in plain sight from the right angle. Match the letter you find to the stage number using the grid below. Most of the stages are numbered to help you keep track Once you have all the letters, do the math, then substitute the matching numbers for the letters and head for the cache. (You may not need to find all the stages to find the cache):
To find the letter for stage one go to the coordinates, locate the concrete pad and...there it is. Continue on locating the other nine letters. Stick to the trail until you are by the stage, minimal bushwhacking depending on season. Enter the letter you find at the stage.
1 _____ 2 _____ 3 _____ 4 _____ 5 _____ 6 _____ 7 _____ 8 _____ 9 _____ 10 _____
Here are the Letters you are looking for: A B C D E H I K O P (accept no substitutes)
Once you have all the letters, stop for a bit and enjoy the view while you plug in the numbers and determine where the final is.
Here's the formula:
N41 3 D. B C (I-H-O) W70 3 K. (P-K) A E
N41 3___ . ___ ___ ___ W 70 3 ___ . ___ ___ ___
Have fun out there,
edexter