GC2DEEZ Cradle of Forestry *ARCHIVED 7-16-2019* (Traditional Cache) in North Carolina, United States created by The Scout Master

This cache has been archived.

The Scout Master: I am afraid this almost 9-year old cache has gone missing again. I have decided to go ahead and archive it. Thanks so much to all who visited it and this wonderful area.

GC2DEEZ ▼

A cache by The Scout Master Message this owner

Hidden : 8/15/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is placed with the permission of Mr Owenby, director and
head ranger of the Cradle of Forestry/Pisgah Ranger District.
HINT: (Since a beautiful new entrance has been built, here is a Note about the container location at the new entrance: The cache is on the left side but on a hook at the last pair of posts by the left gate pillar. It can (and should) be found from outside the entrance. So, the cache is not on the entrance structure at all but on the wooden fence. Cachers should have no trouble finding it as long as they go to the left side of the pillar on the left side entrance.

You are searching for a pill bottle container about 4" long and 1.5" wide,
NOTE: THE CACHE CAN AND SHOULD BE DONE FROM OUTSIDE THE GATE.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ENTER THE SITE TO RETRIEVE THE CACHE.

THE CACHE CAN BE DONE WHETHER THE AREA IS OPENED OR CLOSED.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY A FEE TO DO THE CACHE.
However, there IS a fee to enter the site and do the activities or visit the exhibits(see below).

PLEASE PARK ON THE EXIT SIDE (as coming from gate to the road) just past the light pole, pull off so as not to obstruct any vehicular traffic.

**********************************************************************

CRADLE OF FORESTRY IN AMERICA NATIONAL FOREST HISTORIC SITE Spanning over 100 years of forest conservation history, the Cradle of Forestry offers a snap shot of life at America’s first school of Forestry.
You can also take a picturesque walk along the Forest Festival Trail complete with a restored 1915 logging locomotive, or take a ride with firefighters aboard a helicopter on their way to a roaring fire in the wilds of Idaho in the Forest Discovery Center Exhibit Hall.

A Brief History of the Cradle of Forestry In America:

The 6,500-acre Cradle of Forestry Historic Site in the Pink Beds Valley, NC, was established by Congress in 1968 and contains the first official school for forestry in America – the Biltmore Forest School. After purchasing land in the Asheville, NC area in the mid to late 1800's, George Vanderbilt hired a forester (Gifford Pinchot) to maintain his property, and to restore and manage his massive expanse of lands.

It was during this time that Forestry in America began, as demonstrated by the following "firsts": *Gifford Pinchot became the first American trained in Forestry.
*The first comprehensive forestry plan in America began on George Vanderbilt's property.
*Dr. Carl Schenck, a German Forester, began the first college for forestry in America - the Biltmore Forest School.
*The first large purchase of protected forest land by the US Government after the 1911 Weeks Act is 86,700 acres of the Pisgah Forest.

These events paved the way for Dr. Carl Schenck to open the Biltmore Forest School in 1898. For 15 years, the students practiced the science and business of forestry and eventually produced over 300 foresters who began the profession of forestry in the United States.
After being established as a historic site, the school became affectionately known as the "Cradle of Forestry in America".

A LITTLE MORE IN-DEPTH HISTORY:
Our century of forest conservation dates back to the construction of the Biltmore Estate and the reforestation of abused and farmed over land that once ailed the surrounding landscape. Forestry education began in 1889 when George W. Vanderbilt purchased the first land holding in Asheville, NC for his Estate.

Vanderbilt hired a man by the name of Frederick Law Olmsted to oversee the design and construction of the gardens & grounds encompassed by the magnificent estate.

Upon Olmstead's recommendation that the estate required a "Forest Manager", Vanderbilt hired a young man by the name of Gifford Pinchot. Pinchot, who would later serve as the first Chief of the USDA Forest Service and Governor of Pennsylvania, developed and implemented a forest management plan for Vanderbilt's forested holdings.

Subsequently, in 1895, German forester Dr. Carl A. Schenck accepted George Vanderbilt's offer to come to North Carolina to succeed Gifford Pinchot as manager of his vast forest properties.
For the next 14 years, Dr. Schenck focused all of his forestry skills on transforming the woodlands we know today as Pisgah National Forest into a restored image of what was once a flourishing forest.

Today the Cradle of Forestry in America is a 6,500 acre Historic Site within the Pisgah National Forest, set aside by Congress to commemorate the beginning of forestry conservation in the United States. The Forest Discovery Center honors forest conservation history with an 18 minute movie about Vanderbilt, Pinchot, Schenck and the beginning of forestry in America. Also located in the Center is an interactive exhibit hall.
Outdoor activities include two guided trails which lead you back in time to seven historical buildings, a 1915 Climax logging locomotive and an antique portable sawmill. Thursdays through Sundays you may find a toy maker, a weaver, a quilter, or a wood carver demonstrating traditional Appalachian crafts on the open porches of the historic cabins.
There are also special programs and events throughout the season.

IF YOU DECIDE TO VISIT:
Hours of operation: Open daily - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (valid in 2010 - and appears to still be valid in 2016, However, it's a good idea to check with the site to verify if still the same).
Admission: $5.00 for adults 16 years of age and older.
*FREE FOR EVERYONE ON TUESDAYS!*(except guided group programs by reservation)*
       *FREE for youth ages 15 and younger.
         *FREE for Federal Interagency and Golden Age Passport holders.
         *Except for the following special events which are $6.00 for adults 16 years of age and older and $3.00 for youth 15 and younger and Federal Interagency and Golden Age Passport holders: Firefly Twilight Tour, Winged Creatures of the Night, Songcatchers Music Series, Smokey Bear’s Birthday Party, Forest Festival Day, and The Legend of Tommy Hodges.

Contact info:
Information desk: 828-877-3130
Website: www.cradleofforestry.org
E-Mail: ccarpenter02@fs.fed.us
Map of Area: www.parkwaymap.com/ashemap.htm

********************************************************************* Come and visit the many caches in the Davidson River and Pisgah Forest area.

Again NOTE: The cache Can and Should be done from outside the gate. You do NOT have to enter the site to retrieve the cache.
ALSO: YOU DO NOT Have to pay a fee to do the cache. However, there IS a fee to enter the site and do the activities or visit the exhibits.

HAPPY CACHING!

FTF HONORS GO TO...Snorii !!!

Due to the sensitive nature of this area, and the desire of the Forestry Service to not have cachers trampling around, I am including this *SPOILER PHOTO* to prevent any damage of the area from occurring>/u>

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Since this is a sensitive area that does not need to be damaged, the following hint (and the above photo) is a big SPOILER: Look near the rear left corner of the left stone column (as face entrance from the road) on the outer fence post.]

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)