Element #25 is Manganese.
Manganese is a transition metal element. It is grayish-white, very hard, and brittle. Its main use is in forming alloys, such as some types of stainless steel. It is also used in the alloy used in the current "gold" dollar coins (Sacagewea and the presidents series).
Alum Rock Park was founded in 1872 as the first municipal park in California. In its heyday, one could take an excursion on a streetcar from downtown San Jose out to the "Reservation" where there was a heated swimming pool, restaurants, an aviary, and private heated mineral baths. The only remnants of that time are the gazebo by the visitor center and the stone grottoes surrounding the sulfurous mineral springs.
There are many elements that could be associated with Alum Rock. First there's the sulfur from the mineral springs. There's aluminum from the alum (which isn't actually found in the park--it was mistaken for sodium sulfate found near the springs). But I decided on Manganese. One of the major attractions of early Alum Rock Park was the Alum Rock Meteor--a large black boulder found along Penintencia Creek. After examination, scientists declared that the boulder was not a meteorite, but a large mass of manganese ore. Nevertheless, the "meteor" continued to be a tourist attraction in Alum Rock Park until it was sold to be smelted during World War I. A small piece of the boulder is displayed in the vistor center.
The meteor (above, left) was located just downstream of the "1909 Bridge" (there's also a benchmark on this bridge a few feet to the right of the "1909". if you're into that kind of thing...). My best guess at where it was located is shown in the photo above, right.
The cache is hidden just downstream of the spot in the photo where there seemed to be better hiding spots that weren't all covered in poison oak. I averaged to about 18 feet EPE, so if anyone gets better co-ordinates, please send them along.There wasn't any poison oak near the cache when I hid it, but that doesn't mean it won't pop up. Keep alert! There is no need to go down into the stream (and please don't as the streambed has been identified as an endangered species habitat). Also be careful with the little ones with the cars and the steep drop-off.
Closest parking is at the parking lot just before the park entrance kiosk. Park hours are 8:00 am until one-half hour after sunset.