GC20FZ0 FOYOW - Lynnfield Marsh (Multi-cache) in Massachusetts, United States created by Loch Cache

GC20FZ0 ▼

A cache by Loch Cache Message this owner

Hidden : 11/3/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Figure Out Your Own Way – FOYOW
I have often just taken walks with no destination in mind. More than once I have found myself in a spot that seems unaccessible except for the thin trail that I somehow found. Having a GPS with cookie trail has proven beneficial more than once. Now you have to Figure Out Your Own Way (FOYOW) to where I have been.

Background:
After dropping my daughter off at work one Saturday I decided to see what was in the area for geocaches. Since there wasn’t much I just started exploring. There is a large area in Lynnfield called the Reedy Meadow. It is formerly known as the Lynnfield Marsh. There are several ways in including along the old rail bed that dissects the marsh. There are also some conservation areas surrounding it. When you click on Google maps you will see them in green. One is Ready Meadows, one is Partridge Island, as for the others, Google maps doesn’t give them names. As you look at the map you would think you could just launch a canoe or kayak and paddle out to the middle. Click on the satellite view and you will see that is not the case. I had to drive around for a short bit until I found what looked like a plausible trail. I followed it until it for awhile and then just started wandering where I could. This cache is the result of that wandering.

Getting to the cache:
At the posted coordinates you will find the coords for the final. Getting to the posted coords may be a challenge for even the most hardened cacher. There seem to be a couple trail heads around the marsh. One trail that I tried looked great to start, fell apart quickly and then completely disappeared. Another trail head looked promising, but I ended up in the wrong area. Maybe later I will place a cache out there.

Is there more than one way to the cache? Maybe, maybe not. I know the route I took and it was not an easy one because more than once I missteped and ended up getting wet. One time I stepped on what I thought was solid ground and it just sank. Another time I thought the log was a good thing to walk on, but it too just sank. Use caution with every step you take.

CAUTION NOTES:

This is not just a trek in the woods, this is a challenging trek in the Lynfield marsh area. You will get wet on this trek.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR KIDS.
Wear clothing and shoes appropriate for muck. On one occasion, as I made the trek out to the cache location, I misstepped and ended up in the water and muck up to my hip.
Bring walking sticks or poles to help you balance as you cross logs and such. Also use them to test the ground before taking a step to avoid sinking in muck.
Bring a friend, don’t go alone. I don’t recommend going alone. I did the trek several times and always on my own. The time I went into the muck I wish I had a friend along to help me out.
Give yourself plenty of daylight to do this. One trek out I left too late in the afternoon and I was rushing to get back to solid ground before dark.
As for trying it in the winter, not recommended. Sure much of the area may be frozen, but with some areas being very deep, if it is not fully frozen you could break through.

Good luck and good caching,
Loch Cache

One final note: DO NOT post information on where you parked or what trail you used. Part of the terrain/difficulty rating is the need to FOYOW.

Congrats to Savage Hiker on the FTF

Additional Hints ()

Jnlcbvag 1: Onpxfvqr Svany: Tebhaqrq

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)