THE CACHE IS NOT AT THE LISTED COORDINATES! The coordinates are of the trailhead.
Come enjoy a night cache in Cedar Falls Park. While the northern part of the park has baseball fields, tennis courts, and a playgound, the majority of the park is a natural area, criss-crossed with hiking trails. Parts of this park were once farmed by the Johnson family to grow tobacco, cotton, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Jo Peeler was instrumental in the Town of Chapel Hill's acquisition of the park land in 1979, and one of the many trails is named in her honor. The park closes at midnight.
Take note of the trailhead coordinates. They take you to the correct starting place, which is not the most obvious trailhead when you park. You should enter the woods between the 2 southern baseball fields.
The trail of reflective tacks will lead you on a ~1.5 mile journey throughout the park. At each of the first 3 stages, you will find information needed to help you to unlock the final stage. Each stage is located within 4 feet of a red/yellow/green (stop signal) set of reflectors. The color of the reflective tacks will change at each stage. If you change colors without locating the stage between, you have missed a stage and will not be able to unlock the final stage. The stages get slightly harder as you progress.
The final stage is filled with glow in the dark and light-up items so please bring some appropriate items to trade. There are a new matchstick container and small LED flashlight for the FTF.
Please re-hide each stage EXACTLY as found. If you enjoy the journey, favorite points are very much appreciated. Thanks!
General hints for night caches:
- Let your flashlight do the work. Hold it at eye level and sweep it from side to side.
- Bring extra batteries for your flashlight and GPSr.
- If at all possible, bring a geobuddy. Night caching alone on anything except the mildest of hikes is unwise.
Advice for this night cache:
- BE QUIET AND CONSIDERATE! Seriously. While the park closes at midnight, and Chapel Hill Parks has confirmed that it's OK to be on the trails after dark, if your group is too large or you make too much noise or nuisance, nearby residents may justifiably get upset. I'd recommend a maximum group size of about 5. You may wish to start just after sundown rather than waiting until it's very late. If a LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) asks you to leave any Chapel Hill park at any time (day or night) you must promptly do so.
- Beware of wildlife. This is the south. We have critters of all sorts, from mosquitoes, ticks, and yellowjackets to spiders and snakes.
- Use stealth! This park is lightly but consistently used, even after dark, due to the organized sports fields. The tennis courts are particularly popular in summer months. Speak in low voices and be prepared to turn off your light and freeze for a few minutes if muggles approach.
- It may be possible to find this cache during the day. While the terrain would be safer, following the tacks would be much more difficult. This cache is designed for nighttime and the edginess of the terrain at night is considered in the rating. The same terrain during the day would be 1 point lower.
- This is a large park, but it is an urban park and is surrounded by neighborhoods. Please stay on the trails unless you are following the reflective tacks or bushwacking towards a stage. Otherwise you may find yourself in someone's back yard.
- Part of your journey will lead you along Cedar Fork Creek, which flows through the southwestern portion of the park. At this point in its course it is a very rocky creek, flanked on both sides by steep bluffs. During dry months, the creek may slow to a trickle, but after a good rain, the volume of water over the rapids can be substantial. You will voyage down to the creek, along the creek's path, and there are 2 creek crossings. Depending on when it last rained, you may or may not get your feet wet. Wet, mossy rocks can be slick. Please plan accordingly.
- Our test run of this cache, walking at a leisurely pace, took us 2 hours. Please plan to spend between 1.5 and 2.5 hours on this cache. The park closes at midnight. While there are no gates to lock cars in, please try to finish by closing time out of consideration for the residents of the nearby houses.
The final stage is locked. Clues found in stages 1-3 will allow you to unlock it. You will also need the following information. While a copy is on the outside of the final stage, please print the equations below. Taking a calculator with you may be helpful.
Combination digit 1 : (B - A - C) / 2
Combination digit 2 : (C * 2) + B - (3 * A) + 1
Combination digit 3 : (C * 8) - (B * 2) - A - 1
Combination digit 4 : B + C - (2 * A) - 8
Some other helpful info -- Where there is something that merits attention (leaving or rejoining a main trail, a physical stage nearby, etc.) you may see two reflectors on the same tree.
The reflectors are close together when bushwacking or following an animal trail. They're farther apart when on a main park trail. If you are following reflectors on a main trail and don't see the next one, look just around the next corner and you may see it. It is not advised to pass a trail intersection without seeing a reflector to indicate direction.
Enjoy the search and let us know if you enjoy the cache!
Update Aug 3, 2011: I'm glad everyone has enjoyed the cache so far! The great feedback makes the hide worthwhile. I'm working on ideas for future hides. If anyone is considering finding "Night Falls" and is afraid of the woods after dark, needs a geobuddy for safety, etc., I'll gladly walk along with you given a day or two of notice... I can use the exercise!! But I'll just be there for moral support; you'll be in the lead. I won't give you any help with the trail or combination unless there are missing reflectors, etc.
Congrats to CarolinaTrombone, ebird-67, fortunefaded, Maingray, MizzBee, mnloon, ncbiscuit, StumpWater, and vortexecho on being FTF!