Hardy Pond Letterbox Letterbox Hybrid
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The Hardy Pond Letterbox
A scenic stroll along the flooded banks of the Muskegon River.
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About the Location:
Welcome to a picturesque view of Newaygo State Park's Hardy Dam Pond.
The coordinates of this cache will bring to the start of your journey to this letterbox treasure.
Newaygo State Park is a 99-site rustic campground, which sits atop 20-foot embankments overlooking the Hardy Dam Pond, a six-mile flooding of the Muskegon River. The park caters primarily to campers, anglers and recreational boaters. There are several picnic sites overlooking the reservoir for day users. The campground is nestled in oak and poplar forests and is noted for its large, private sites and scenic beauty. There is a 20-30 foot forested buffer between sites, and each site is provided with a picnic table and a fire ring.
This park has welcomed geoacachers to it again with another event planned for June, 2010. There are some terrific caches in this park; please take some time to enjoy them.
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Clues to the Cache:
In the spirit of letterboxing we don't give you the coordinates to the cache but instead a series of clues or directions to find it. You don't need to have a personal stamp & personal log book to seek this cache, but to stay with the intent of letterboxing a personal stamp would be nice. You can get a stamp of your own at most hobby stores, they aren't very expensive. Please don't take the stamp or ink pad from the cache; they are to stay in the cache. To learn more about Letterboxing, visit letterboxing.org.
The coordinates on this cache page will lead you to an erosion sign just north-west of campsite #85.
Follow the foot path that heads west along the southern shore of Hardy Pond. You will walk about 225 paces before reaching a dip in the trail. Here you will see about a three foot drop in the trail's elevation and immediately to the north, at a slightly lower elevation, you will see signs of two springs that then trickle down into the pond.
Continue west about another 100 paces. Here you will encounter a large diameter oak tree, on the very south or left edge of the trail. There are old tree steps nailed into the north-east side of the tree. Rest assured, you are on the right track.
Continue west on the trail another 100 paces. Here you will find a couple small pine trees a few feet below the north edge of the cliff. The top of the first small pine is only eye-level. It would be a nice spot to stop a take a photo of a caching buddy as you also have a nice view of the pond.
Continue on another 100 paces. At the large lone 14" pine, near the cliff's edge, you need to look to the south or left of the trail. Just twenty paces away you will find a down tree where caching sense will lead you to the hide location. You will find this Letterbox cache in a hollow log.
Once the cache is found should relax on the fallen tree trunk. Here you can stamp your personal logbook with the stamp in the cache (please place back in cache when done) and stamp our logbook with your stamp. If you do not have a stamp, feel free to draw something for us to enjoy. If you can't draw, please sign your name.
Please replace stamp and logbook into each of their respective ziploc bags to prevent the ink on the stamp from ruining the logbook. Some wipes are provided in case it gets messy. Please carefully return the cache as you found it for others to enjoy in the future.
Thanks to the folks at Rubberstamps.net for their quality stamps. |
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What's the Challenge?
The true challenge is staying on task as the cachers will be distracted by the scenic views and wildlife. Take the time to savor your surroundings on your return hike back to the campground.
Please leave this site a little more pristine for the next cacher by practicing C.I.T.O. as you return to your vehicle.
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Additional Hints
(No hints available.)