North Jersey Checkpoint
Challenge
Checkpoint
Jura
Welcome to
Stokes State Forest in Branchville, NJ. This cache will fulfill
the “Jura” requirement for the
North Jersey Checkpoint Challenge.
Stokes State Forest spans 16,067
acres in Sussex County. Stokes is famous for its impressive beauty,
whether it is at the top of a mountain ridge or in the cool and
fragrant Tillman Ravine with its rushing stream and steep cliffs.
Hikers, campers, fishermen and photographers are attracted to its
wild setting.
The cache is located on Lackner Trail accessible from the Stony
Lake parking area. West of Stony Lake, the Lackner Trail passes the
site of Camp Madeline Mulford, a Girl Scout camp that was active
prior to the 1940's. Following the slope of a low ridge beneath
oak, hickory, birch and maple, the trail provides an excellent
chance to see mountain-laurel and blueberries in bloom. Several
evergreen tree species may be seen near Stony Lake, including red
and white pine, pitch pine and hemlock. Red sandstone beds have
been exposed by retreating glaciers. The trail connects that Old
State Road near Coursen Road with the recreation area at Stony
Lake.
It is recommended that you stop at the ranger station just off
Route 15 and grab a trail map. Continue on down Coursen Road and
turn right to Stony Lake for the designated parking area. The park
is open year round, although there is a fee Memorial Day to Labor
Day. You can hike in from the ranger station if you like, but I can
assure you the park is worth it!
The cache is about a one mile hike from the parking area, up a
slow slope with approximately a 200 feet elevation change. The
trail is wide and accessible by hiking, biking, or even on
horseback! You're looking for a regular ammo can originally filled
with toys and trinkets. Reception is excellent and I was able to
get within 12 feet of accuracy. Raritan's Indian Geocoin will begin
it's journey here. FTF prize is a ready-to-hide silver bison
tube.
***Congrats to Andy Bear and Harry Dolphin for the
FTF!!***
Official NJCC
Information
The Northern New Jersey Cachers (NNJC) are sponsoring the North
Jersey Checkpoint Challenge series. This challenge is intended to
take geocachers on a tour of Northern New Jersey (loosely defined
as north of I-78) while finding caches placed by members of the
NNJC. On the tour, we hope you will find North Jersey an
interesting and beautiful part of our great state.
Scattered around the area are 26 checkpoint caches and a final
challenge cache -
North Jersey Checkpoint Challenge (GC1NNJC). The names of the
individual checkpoint caches are based on a phonetic alphabet using
mountain names since North Jersey is the mountainous region of the
state. The 26 checkpoints do not have to be completed in any
particular order. See the NJCheckpoint bookmark for the complete
list of caches.
Hidden within the 26 checkpoint caches are numbers to be used in
determining the coordinates of the final North Jersey Checkpoint
Challenge cache – please be sure to note them while you are
there.
Originally I placed the wrong clue card into
the cache. Mblatch & MountainRacer were nice enough to edit the
card for me. If you should have any trouble reading the clue,
please contact me! Thank you!
While there are no special logging requirements for the 26
checkpoint caches, there are special logging requirements for the
final challenge cache. Complete information can be found on the
North Jersey Checkpoint Challenge (GC1NNJC) cache page.
Happy caching and enjoy the North Jersey Checkpoint
Challenge!!!
This cache is certified North
Jersey