In 1923, near the time the Pilchuck Tree Farm was first
established, they dedicated a section to some of the animals that
were being displaced with the first clear cut. It was kind of like
a miniature zoo with a bear in its cage, a cougar in another
enclosure, as well as an assortment of rodents and other animals.
There was even an aviary with a captive eagle and a few
buzzards.
This generated additional income for the farm, allowing them to
expand their boundaries and begin a process of planting and
harvesting, which, needless to say, generated yet more income.
Taylor Wiggins, the man in charge of the Pilchuck Zoo, decided
to expand the boundaries of the zoo itself and ordered a giraffe
from Africa to be delivered to Arlington in the year 1952. When the
baby giraffe arrived, he was promptly named Edie and every care was
lavished on him. Unfortunately, Mr. Wiggins had no experience
handling what should become such a large creature and the area he
had planned on holding him was much too low for him to fit in.
He quickly erected a new enclosure, but by then the giraffe had
sought, and found, freedom in the great expanse of the tree farm.
Mr. Wiggins was promptly fired, and the remaining animals were sold
to cover the cost incurred from buying and shipping Edie. It was at
this time a sentimental employee named a trail in his honor. As you
will notice, one end of Edie’s Trail is steep, where you could
almost imagine the graceful curve of a giraffe’s neck.
There has been great speculation in regards to what happened to
Edie. Recently, a miniature giraffe has been seen, and the general
consensus is that Edie has adapted to the Pacific Northwest and his
body has shrunk, because he didn’t need the height to reach leaves
that are so bountiful here in the park. However, the Tree Farm
denies the very existence of the former Pilchuck Zoo and would
pretend to not know what you were talking about if you reported a
sighting.
There is no need to leave the trail to get the cache. I suggest
you get trail maps from
here.
General Disclaimer: My caches are within 20 feet of the trail
(usually much less) and are usually in the obvious spot. No
destruction of the environment is needed nor will be tolerated.
Cachers need to be aware of their physical abilities and should
plan accordingly. If you are going out into nature, take the
essentials! I want to get you out there so I am happy to help if
you can’t find a cache. Go have fun!