Who has the money? - The Old Vault Traditional Cache
Who has the money? - The Old Vault
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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F. Mertens’ Sons, a corporation formed in the late 1800’s, used these concrete vaults to store valuables inside their orchard camp headquarters buildings during their Green Ridge Valley Orchard venture from 1908-1917. Such camps were scattered throughout what is now Green Ridge State Forest and were abandoned when the Mertens’ apple orchard ventures went bankrupt. Two of these vaults are known to remain. Today, few apple trees reminiscent of the old orchard era can be found. This portion of the forest is managed for early succession wildlife habitat such as rabbits and game birds. Deer and black bear are also common. Management practices include mowing to maintain fields and roads, prescribed burning of warm season grasses, grass planting, tree planting, timber harvesting, and creation of brush piles for wildlife shelter.
This cache is hidden somewhere near the old Mertens vault on Kirk Road.
This is a dirt road (like many roads in Green Ridge State Forest). You may contact the forest headquarters for road conditions at 301-478-3124. This is especially recommended in the winter months.
Green Ridge State Forest is one of Maryland's largest state forests and consists of approximately 46,000 acres of pine, oak, and hickory forests. Recreational opportunities include camping, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, public shooting range, hunting, fishing, and paddling. The nearby C & O Canal (operated by the National Park Service) offers biking, hiking, and horseback riding opportunities. The state of Maryland obtained the first portions of GRSF in 1931, and has continued to manage the forest for many uses.
Original cache contents include:
logbook and pencil
lucky clover coin
carabiner keychain
rubber ball
rural MD pin
Mertens orchard/vault interpretive card
Congrats to mfmanner on FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
fgvpx jvgu vg