The history of Lake Metroparks extends back to 1958 when the county park system was formed. Chapin Forest has been a part of Lake Metroparks system since the early 1970's when the land was leased from the State of Ohio as part of a long-term lease agreement, but the history of the land which is now called Chapin Forest goes back much farther.
The land now known as Chapin Forest was once the location of two stone quarries. Quarry work began in the early 1800's and continued at the last quarry into the 1970's. The early quarry work provided the stone for the Kirkland Temple to the north. Your journey will take you to and by locations which still show evidence of that quarry work.
The first stage of this multi cache is best reached from the parking area near Route 306. You will be walking the Stone Cutters Loop for Stage 1 and the Lucky Stones Trail for the final.
When you reach the posted coordinates, you will need information from three sources. There are two historical signs which will provide information. There is a bench built into the boardwalk. Behind the bench there is a large rock bearing the marks of previous quarry work at this site. The two sides of the rock nearest the bench have drill holes. Count the number of drill holes from one side only. With the two signs and the number of drill holes, you can find the final location at N 41 AB.CDE and W 081 FG.HIJ
AB= sum of all eight digits from the two years listed on one sign plus 2.
C= number of drill holes on one side of the rock behind the bench.
D= last digit of the second year listed plus 1.
E= second digit of the second year listed minus second digit of the first year listed.
FG= sum of the digits from the second year listed plus 3.
H= second digit of the second year listed.
I= sum of the first digits from the two years listed plus the third digit of the first year listed.
J= number of tools pictured in the sign.
Chapin Forest is open for visiting from sunrise to sunset. Please stay on the trails until you are even with the cache. There is nothing to be gained from bushwhacking. The road back to Lucky Stones trail access from Route 306 is closed to vehicles for most of the winter. You can either take a long walk back along the Buckeye Trail to access the start of the Lucky Stones Trail or approach the final from the second park entrance reached from Hobart Road north off Route 6.
Many thanks to Lake Metroparks for the support of geocaching. This cache has been placed with the permission of Lake Metroparks.