According to
Wikipedia,
vernal pools, also called ephemeral pools, are temporary pools of
water. They are devoid of fish, and thus allow the safe development
of natal amphibian and insect species.
Most pools are dry for at least
part of the year and fill with the winter rains or snow melt. Some
pools may remain at least partially filled with water over the
course of a year or more, but all vernal pools dry up periodically.
This ensures the absence of fish, a chief characteristic of all
pools.
They are called vernal pools
because they are often, but not necessarily, at their peak depth in
the spring ("vernal" meaning of, relating to, or occurring in the
spring).
Despite being dry at times, once
filled they teem with life. The most obvious inhabitants are
various species of frogs and toads. Some salamanders also utilize
vernal pools for reproduction, but the adults may visit the pool
only briefly. Other notable inhabitants are daphnia and
fairy shrimp,
the latter often used as an indicator
species to decisively define a vernal pool. Other indicator
species, at least in New England, are the wood frog, the spadefoot
toad, and four species of mole salamanders.
This cache can best be appreciated
by parking along Hampton Gate Rd and hiking in along the Jeep
trail. I know many cachers will 4WD to the cache but you will
be missing the serenity of the walk. If you do drive, please stay
on the trails and respect this area. It is a great place to hike
and the loop around the pond is a few miles. If a rusty old
hobbit can make it, then likely you can too! Enjoy the
cache.
Please post any pictures you take
of the pond in the different seasons so that we all can appreciate
the changes. Also please stay out of the pond/meadow to
preserve its pristine nature
Special thanks to the Cache Posse
of Y's Owl, sofiecat and Frodo for making this cache
possible. Y's Owl helped in locating the area. Sofiecat
helped by providing a cache container and transportation for the
hide. And Frodo did whatever hobbits normally do. (I
think he had lunch while everyone else was busy)