Alien Invaders: Confucious say Wisteria! Multi-cache

Park at the coordinates listed for parking on this page.

This is a 1 stage cache that is just off trail. UPDATE: 3/8/14 Note that this is now only a single stage cache. The second stage has been removed. To claim this find, post your note here and send note to Buglady1 requesting clue for final. Sorry for change. The final container is really cool. Hope to relocate sometime, but for now this is a single stage cache.

This cache is the fourth in a series of 5 invasive plant-themed caches placed around parks in Northern Virginia. You will also need to jot down the clue from each cache to find Raiders of the Lost Park cache.Raiders of the Lost Park GC2JE3B

You will find the clues to this cache by starting here:

Alien Invaders:English Ivy Leaguers GC2HG5X

Alien Invaders: Reston's Exotic GC2HHE8

Alien Invaders: Russian Olives GC2HHVZ

Head from the parking lot to the coordinates listed for stage one. It will be within 50 ft from the trail near an area called the meadow. Grab the coords for the final then head back to parking and on to the coordinates.

By now you have learned a little about invasive plants found in the Mid Atlantic area. This plant has invaded this lovely park and native habitat here in central Arlington.

Chinese Wisteria? It can't be that bad.. It is so pretty with it's long purple panicles in late spring and pods later in summer.

As an alien to our native areas, wisteria is a vine that twines its way upwards to reach the light, tightening its mighty grip on any plant or tree it encounters. It seeds readily and is found rampant along the forest floor of this park. It commonly kills trees by smothering and girdling the tree's trunk.

Native alternatives to Chinese and Japanese wisteria are: trumpet vine, native wisteria, climbing hydrangea.

Native wisteria has smaller flowers.

Be sure to collect the final clue for the Raiders of the Lost Park. Raiders of the Lost Park GC2JE3B in stage 2.

This cache has been placed with permission: Thanks to head naturalist, Alonso Albugattas and Steve Long, invasive plant volunteer for assisting with and allowing placement of this cache here at Longbranch Nature Center.

Tread lightly, leaving only steps. Minimize bushwhacking where ever you cache.

BRING YOUR OWN PEN.

All containers in this series are unique and handmade. Take care when handling them and replace exactly as found to keep it fun for the next finders.

Be sure to grab the final clue for the series final Raiders of the Lost Park GC2JE3B.

Remember, it's all about the journey...

LEAVE ONLY FOOTSTEPS

Now you have all the clues to find:

Raiders of the Lost Park GC2JE3B