Chapman's Pond Preserve #1 Traditional Cache
Chapman's Pond Preserve #1
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**Congrats to Paddlehikers for FTF**In East Haddam, off the River Road going to Gillette's Castle. Turn onto the dirt road at the curve sign; then its only 600 yards to the parking area; most cars should be able to handle the road. These caches are not for the faint-of-heart or someone looking for some easy smilies; be prepared for a two hour hike with an elevation change of 400 feet. Terrain rating based on doing all three caches at the same time; 3.7 miles round trip. Open dawn to dusk.
I enjoy exploring remote nature preserves that deserve more attention. This is one in a new cache series highlighting East Haddam preserves.
Welcome to Chapman's Pond Preserve. The section you will hike is owned by The Nature Conservancy, but parcels adjoining the CT River are owned by the East Haddam Land Trust and State of CT. Back in the 19th century, some of East Haddam's farmers owned small strip lots here, on the land across Chapman's Pond next to the CT River. They used this land to grow and harvest hay. The Great Flood of 1936 destroyed the hay meadows and turned the area into a wetland. It looks like the town still owns the original farm strips.
I have placed three caches just off the white-blazed trail which begins at the parking lot. The trail takes you down to Chapman's Pond, alongside the water, then up and eventually connects at the beginning near the parking area. Its probably easiest to hike it in a clockwise direction to take advantage of the gradual elevation changes returning. The white blazes on the trail are sometimes faded and far apart, but the trail is generally easy to follow. When returning the trail makes an abrupt left turn and becomes narrower about 400 yards from the parking area. Lots of bounce on this one so you may have to use the hint.
Enjoy this beautiful CT woodland and please rehide the caches as found.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybj fgbar jnyy; 20s sebz genvy.
Treasures
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