A Top the Giant Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

gpsfun: This cache page is being archived due to the lack of a timely resolution. If you wish to repair/replace the cache in the near future, just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the current guidelines, we'll consider unarchiving it.

-Brad
Geocaching Volunteer Reviewer

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Hidden : 3/5/2011
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


This cache is not supposed to be the hardest to find or have the best goodies, it is just a pill container. It will give you one of the best views you will see in your life. When I was at the top, I thought the view was breath taking to I decided to drop off a cache here so other people can enjoy this great view. At the top, you will overlook Quinnipiac University and miles into the distance. The hike to the top can be difficult especially when the ground is damp or wet. Be careful and take caution when getting to the top.

This cache is located in the Sleeping Giant State Park. The cache is a small pill container a top the "chin" of the giant. Make sure you bring a camera to get some pictures of this beautiful view and a pen of course to sign the log.

Enjoy your view!

A Brief History of the Sleeping Giant

The trap rock ridges in Connecticut began life about 170 million years ago when volcanic eruptions formed the columnar patterns of basaltic rock. This hard rock which fractures at near 90 degree angles gives the rock the name trap meaning step or stair in Swedish. In Connecticut most of these ridges run north-south, but one unique ridge six miles north of New Haven runs east-west and has the distinctive profile of a recumbent human, especially when viewed from the south. This Sleeping Giant has held a mythical quality for all who see it.
The Native Americans in the area called the Giant Hobbomock, an evil spirit who became angry at the neglect of his people and stamped his foot near the current location of Middletown causing the Connecticut River to change course. Keitan, a good spirit cast a spell on Hobomock causing him to sleep forever so that he would do no further damage.
Although the ridges to the north of New Haven were easily visible from the harbor and Long Island Sound, it was almost a century after the founding of New Haven Colony before Europeans began to settle the area which would be named Mount Carmel. In 1735 Joel Munson began work on a dam on the Mill river just southwest of the Giant's head. He built a grist mill and saw mill on the site. The presence of the mill spurred settlement of the area as did a north-south road constructed through a difficult area known as the Steps, just west of the Mill River. In 1828 a canal from New Haven to Northampton, Massachusetts brought barge traffic to the area. In 1846, the canal company ceased operations, and a rail line was laid along the bed of the canal. The Mount Carmel Axleworks moved to the location of Joel Munson's dam.
The second half of the nineteenth century saw cottages built on many of the Giant's ridges. The summer homes were used by many local notables for either overnight stays or summer-long residency. Many ingenious devices were used to provide comforts at these remote locations. The highlight of this era was John H. Dickerman's opening of Blue Hills Park on July 4, 1888 when local residents were invited to travel a carriage road that had been constructed to a pavilion on the fourth ridge for a "basket picnic" which included ice cream.
Judge Willis Cook who owned the first ridge or the Giant's head had an ox road built to the top of the head so he could transport building materials for a cottage. Parts of this road are now the blue trail on the north side of the head. By 1911 however vandals had become such a problem that Judge Cook decided to accept an offer from the Mount Carmel Traprock Company to lease the land for quarrying. The lease was for 20 years with a renewal option for another twenty years. Perhaps to ease the objections of his neighbors, Judge Cook included a clause in the lease that no quarrying should be visible from Mount Carmel Avenue. The objections of local residents to the continuous blasting and ultimately to the changing of the Giant's shape led to the formation of the Sleeping Giant Park Association and the beginning of Sleeping Giant State Park.

This site shows some of the nature you might find on your adventure. (visit link)

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