Cache is not at the posted coordinates but they are where I parked when I first discovered The Tree.
This isn't a mystery cache that will require you to solve a puzzle. It's not the kind where you have to find some numbers and math out some coordinates. This is the kind of mystery cache that simply has you finding the largest tree in a very large park. This isn't as difficult a task as you may imagine as the "Giant White Oak" is clearly listed on park maps available at the major parking areas, park office and Interpretive Center. The tree sits atop a small ridge and is clearly visible from a major trail. Once you find the tree you can find the cache finding your current coordinates then adding .002 to the North and .013 to the West. The cache is hidden in some bushes behind a tree. You'll be searching for a standard sized ammo can painted to match the surroundings. The difficulty and terrain ratings may vary wildly depending on your search tactics. I started my hunt by asking about the tree at the park office. I was told the tree had burned to a stump but that the maps had not been updated. Well, reports of this tree's demise have been greatly exaggerated. It's still alive and it is fantastic! This old fella has been here since colonial times and, though it has lost a few limbs, doesn't show any signs of tiring. In case you have any doubts you are standing next to the largest tree in the park, you'll know you have the right one by the limbs cut for firewood at the base and the sparse remains of a former home strewn about. I've found bricks & pottery - two of the things Cheesequake clay was famous for creating over the years. Take a few minutes to sit below the tree and let the history wash over you. The industry that enveloped this park is now nothing but a ghost of a memory and a few charred rings somewhere in the middle of this great oak.
Cheesequake State Park, which derives its strange name from the Native American "Chichequaas" that lived here in colonial times, encompasses 1,274 acres in Matawan & Old Bridge Township in Middlesex County. The park's uniqueness lies in its geographical location. Not only is it situated in the middle of the urban north and the suburban south, it lies in a transitional zone between two different ecosystems. Open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, Pine Barrens, and a northeastern hardwood forest are the main characteristics of the park. The Interpretive Center is located a short distance from the trail-head parking area on the Red/ Green/ Blue trail. Visitors are welcome to view the wildlife historical exhibits throughout the Center. Visitors can learn about the three habitats located within Cheesequake State Park and ask about the "Giant White Oak". The Center also provides information on the Native American and early colonization of the area. The center is open from Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. General park hours are from dawn until an hour before dusk. There are five designated trails at the park. The Red, Yellow, Green and Blue pathways are for hiking and walking use. The White Trail (multi-use) is designated for hiking and mountain biking. Trail lengths range from 1.5 to 3.5 miles. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to moderate with inclines. The six-acre Hooks Creek Lake offers an opportunity for freshwater fishing. Trout, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and Sunfish provide the angler with a variety of freshwater species. Crabbing is also available from the Crabbing Bridge which is reachable from the lake parking area. The bridge and walkway are ADA accessible but this cache is not. Several picnic areas with table and grills are located throughout the Park. Enjoy your stay in Cheesequake State Park!
This cache is certified Central Jersey!
