Mr. Baldwin--Enchanted By Bark Traditional Cache
Mr. Baldwin--Enchanted By Bark
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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...Funny what we remember when all we have left are memories.
As a child, Mr. Baldwin, my father, wore glasses and was not allowed to engage in physical activities--not even roller-skating. After marrying my mother, an admitted tomboy and "nature-lover," he became an avid outdoorsman--sailing, camping, day-hiking, cross-country skiing, and ice skating were all activities that he came to enjoy. He also loved the quieter pursuits of wildflower and tree identification.
One memory I will never forget was a "rest stop" visit somewhere along California's freeways. While my sister and I busied ourselves with the bathrooms and the vending machine kiosk, my dad could be seen smoking his pipe while peering closely at the bark of a nearby tree. It was probably puzzle-bark.
While hiking in the Baldwin Creek area of Wilder Ranch, I came upon a spot which my father would have loved--bark as far as the eye could see!
To reach the cache site, take the Enchanted Loop Trail clockwise from the Baldwin Loop Trail. Apparently the trail is subject to closure in the wetter months, but by taking this clockwise approach, you will reach the cache before dropping down to the lower creekside elevations. I don't see any reason why this cache shouldn't remain available year-round.
The cache is located along a flat stretch of the trail, on the uphill side, adjacent to a small grouping of rough-bark redwoods surrounding a burnt-out stump. The container is hidden at the base of a sawed-off section of tree lying about six feet off the trail. Although I used both of my GPS units to try to determine the cache coordinates, +/- 30 feet was my best reading--thus the difficulty rating. Please record your "better" coordinates and I will adjust the description as needed.
The container is a clear plastic Lock & Lock box filled with trade items, a log book, and a pen.
Wilder Ranch trails are available for use from 8am-sunset daily. Parking is available along Highway 1.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre onex, bs pbhefr!
Treasures
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