A long time ago (2005) Nervous Nick and I had teamed up to place a cache here. Well time passed and the cache got archived but it is still a cool place for a cache.
Original Description by Nervous Nick
This is quite a lovely area, and probably less used than it might be due to the fact that you can't just pull up and park your car right in the park. I was a bit surprised to notice there were young women wandering around in this park alone after dark, but then I do not know the area as well as I once did. I do know that it has always been a popular place for University of Chicago students to hang out.
The one feature that made me want to place a cache here was the fire pits in several areas of the park. I found it almost astonishing that the Park District allows people to build open fires on their property, but this is indeed the case.
I found it even more surprising when I thought, "Wow, the Homeland Security nutcases haven't glommed onto this one and shut it down yet!" but apparently they have not, as there is evidence of recent fires in these pits.
One reason I chose this pit in particular is that it affords a grand view of the Museum of Science and Industry. Also, I am unsure of whether there are blast furnaces still operating on the Southeast Side, but if they are, on occasional nights, when there is low cloud cover, you should be able to see the sky to the south light up like the place is on fire, when they cook one of those babies up. I remember seeing this from as far north as Loyola, around 7200N, so if they are still operating and you get lucky, you should be in for an astonishing sight.
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These are a series of caches placed along the Chicago Lakefront Trail started in the modern day by Slainte! but the original geocaching series concept was by Special Ed and Fallen Faery and a bookmark list of that series can be found at this link.
Per Wikipedia: “The Chicago Lakefront Trail (abbreviated as LFT) is a foreshoreway for walking and cycling, running 18-mile (29 km) along the coast of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. The path connects various beaches and recreational amenities located along the lake front and also serves as an option to bicycle commuters.
The trail is located wholly within the Chicago city limits and spans from 7100 South/2560 East to 5800 North/1000 West. It is a dedicated-use path, although frequent intersections do pose a threat to path users. These intersections are clearly signed both to path users and motorists. From north to south, it runs through Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park and Jackson Park.” Maps of the Chicago Lakefront Trail are available at this link.
This series is not intended to be a “numbers run” (though it could certainly be one), but instead an opportunity for you to enjoy both geocaching and the city’s beautiful lakefront. The caches range in type of container, difficulty and terrain.
Finally … there are LOTS of placement opportunities along the LFT, so if anyone else wants to join the series, please do so!
Enjoy the great views, wonderful bike trail and fun caching along the LFT! Happy caching.