GC1XNM1 Wetlands pond (Traditional Cache) in Colorado, United States created by Roskoe52

This cache has been archived.

Alpine Reviewer: As I have not received an update from the cache owner, I am archiving this cache to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you (the cache owner) wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the near future, please contact me, and assuming it meets the guidelines, I will be happy to unarchive it.

Alpine Reviewer
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GC1XNM1 ▼

A cache by Roskoe52 Message this owner

Hidden : 8/23/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The park terrain except for the hogback is flat averaging 6425 feet of elevation. The hogback on the park north boundary gains 40 feet of elevation in the west and increased to 140 of elevation in the east. Much of the park ground cover is prairie and juniper prickly with scattered candelabra cholla. The park woodlands are primarily juniper and piñon. Exotic woodlands are cottonwood and Russian olive. The area west of Horseshoe Lake is partially marsh land with cattails and bulrush.

Lathrop State Park, while sitting in the shadows of the Spanish Peaks and has the honor of being Colorado’s 1st State Park and covers 1594 acres. One of the main features of the park are its two lakes; Martin Lake covers about 180 surface-acres while Horseshoe Lake has about 150 surface-acres. Both host a wide range of water activities and catchable fish.

Lathrop State Park is 3 miles west of Walsenburg via US Hwy. 160. Entrance to Lathrop State Park requires a park pass that can be purchased at the visitor center for display on your vehicle windshield. There is also a self-serving station near the park entrance. Two types of passes are available. A daily Pass is valid from the day purchased until noon the following day. An Annual Pass is valid at any state park or recreation area from the day you purchased to same date the following year. Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free without a pass.

Begin on Memorial Day weekend and ending on Labor Day weekend, each Friday and Saturday and Sundays’ during the 3-day holiday weekend a different illustrated or talks and props presentation is offered at the amphitheater. History, geology, and wildlife of the area are just some of the many programs presented.

Lathrop’s picnic areas, which received an outdoor recreation award for America’s Top 15 Picnic Areas, are situated around both Martin Lake and Horseshoe Reservoir. Each table sits lakeside or a short distance among the trees, has a stand up fire grill, and most tables are shaded. Picnic tables are first-come, first serve basis. Be aware that there are rattlesnakes in the park.

The wetlands pond, a parking lot and paved trail to the pond were constructed in 1993 just below the south end of Horseshoe dam. The wetlands pond eventually became surrounded by a thickness of cattails and bulrush.

A wildlife viewing area with three signs on flora and fauna information on the pond is at the pond edge. There is another information sign 50 yards away at the trail corner that startles some visitors. There is a replica of a snake on half the sign edge. The riparian wetlands community offers diverse aquatic plant communities associated with waterfowl habitat. Water for the wetlands pond comes from Horseshoe Lake.

Now is the time to get out and enjoy a fascinating birding experience at the wetlands pond and Lathrop State Park. Unusual birds have been seen in the area and there are always lots of beautiful birds in the park. The visitor center has a brochure on birds seen in the park.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

N fznyy pnpur pbagnvare vf ybpngrq ba gur Jrgynaqf jnyxvat genvy pbagnvavat n ybt gb inyvqngr lbhe svaq.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)