Maryland Geocaching Society
Cache Across Maryland 2010
This is one
of ten caches placed for the 2010 Cache Across Maryland. Each
location was picked specifically to give you a taste of the state
and show you just a part of its beauty. By combining all ten,
you'll be able to see why Maryland is truly "America in Miniature".
We hope you enjoy them!
This cache
is located in beautiful Sideling Hill Wildlife Management
Area.
Please know
that this is a public hunting area, so do be aware of open hunting
seasons and take proper precautions. The cache you seek is a clear,
lock-n-lock container.
Part of the
Allegheny Mountains, Sideling Hill stretches across West Virginia,
Maryland and Pennsylvania. Although the 380-foot notch, excavated
as a road cut for Interstate 68, is likely Sideling Hill's most
well known feature, it is hardly the only spot of interest on the
mountain.
Sideling
Hill Wildlife Management Area, in eastern Allegheny and western
Washington counties, provides nature lovers with a 3,100 acre tract
of wilderness habitat to explore. Primarily a mixed oak-hickory
forest with scattered stands of Virginia Pine, Sideling Hill is
rich in biological diversity. It provides a habitat for a variety
of wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkey and grouse.
Black bears are even occasional visitors to the area. Nearby
Sideling Hill Creek (which forms the boundary between Allegheny and
Washington counties) even supports a number of plants that are
endemic to the area (i.e. they occur on Sideling Hill and nowhere
else).
With a
rolling topography of elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet and
dramatic rock formations such as scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops,
there is plenty of incredible mountain scenery for all visitors to
enjoy.
Arriving in
the area, cachers have two parking options: the paved WMRT lot
slightly southwest of the CAM trailhead (which is the most central
parking area for all nearby caches), or the alternative parking
coordinates (directly next to the trailhead, but accessible only in
good weather conditions).
To reach
this cache, follow the trail (Trailhead: N 39 38.210, W 078 19.417)
up the hill until you come to an open clearing near the top of the
ridge. Upon reaching this clearing, then follow your gps towards
gz.
While in the
area, either before or after your hike, please take time to check
out the other nearby trailhead (N 39 38.227, W 078 19.441) also. In
addition to being near a scenic area where two streams converge,
here you will find an informative sign that includes a map of
Sideling Hill. When weather permits (Note: in winter, roads may be
blocked and/or impassable), visitors are encouraged to drive up to
explore some of the higher elevations of this scenic
WMA.
Additionally, Old Pearre Station, an access point
to the Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT), is right across the road
from this trailhead. A 22.5 mile paved trail, the WMRT follows the
C&O Canal along the Potomac River, providing an excellent path
for walking, jogging, and biking. There are many additional caches
hidden along this path as well.
Enjoy and
Happy Caching!