This Geocache
Do you want an old, old cache? In a real ammo can? In the woods? At the end of a gorgeous hike? Overlooking a grande vista? Then welcome to the oldest cache in the Cincinnati area; and the oldest active cache in the state of Ohio. After entering the park, drive to the end of the park road and hike the Miami Fort Trail. This trail will take you through the remains of the old fort that used to sit atop this hill - an ancient fortification with a calculated construction date of about 270 A.D. The trail then continues out to the point. From the point, three states are visible (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana), as well as the mouth of the Great Miami River as it pours into the Ohio River.
Contested oldest Geocache in Ohio?
Something to consider!
The following is an explanation as to why this cache is the oldest active cache in Ohio. It is taken from the NovaNikki cache page (GC3EF) with permission from the cache owner, GizmoGuy411. My thanks to GizmoGuy411 for his research, and for allowing me to copy this information! (06/12)
When "NovaNikki" was hidden on 03/04/2001, Geocaching.com assigned it the 1007th GC Code of GC3EF. A cache called "ancient lake" currently displays that it was hidden on 01/23/2001, which would make it the oldest active geocache in Ohio. However, it was actually the 11,710th created GC Code of GC2DBE by Chuck Fackleman and Mark Robinette and later adopted by "swampy ranger". Therefore the "ancient lake" cache page was created 10,703 caches later than the "NovaNikki" cache page. Accordingly, we feel the hidden date for "ancient lake" should actually be 12/23/2001 not 01/23/2001.
Further evidence to substantiate the error is based on the fact that another cache was created immediately before it by Mark Robinette (one of the same cachers) on 12/23/2001 called, "glacial trailing" which was the 11,709th created GC Code of GC2DBD. This cache was also adopted by "swampy ranger". Since GC Codes are assigned sequentially, "ancient lake" was actually created after "glacial trailing".
Additionally, the oldest log for "ancient lake" is dated 01/06/2002.
Since both caches are dated the 23rd of the month, we surmise that this obvious date error may have simply been caused by accidentally selecting the wrong month when the page was created.
Therefore in all probability, "NovaNikki" is currently the 3rd oldest active geocache in Ohio, and the oldest in NW Ohio. If this assumption is correct, then that makes the oldest active cache in Ohio (which it currently claims to be already on its cache page), "Shawnee Lookout Cache", hidden on 02/18/2001, and assigned the 794th GC Code of GC31A. Clearly much older than "ancient lake".
Park Access:
- Parks are open from dawn to dusk.
- All areas that have "Great Parks GeoTour" geocaches are free to access.
- Valid Motor Vehicle Permits are required for every vehicle.
- Daily Motor Vehicle Permit: $3 for Hamilton County Resident.
- Daily Motor Vehicle Permit: $5 for non-resident.
- Annual Motor Vehicle Permit: $10 for Hamilton County Resident.
- Annual Motor Vehicle Permit: $14 for non-resident.
On Nov 9, 2004 this cache was transferred from R. Peak, the original owner, to catlon, then to Landondena and finally to Amberglar of AFK who has taken over ownership on behalf of Great Parks and the responsibility for continued maintenance.
GPHC Permit # 05-0115
