About ZFPT2 - Go on and Find it
ZFPT2 - Go on and Find it is currently the first of the 13 caches that comprise the Zargfinders Power Trail, which follows the Circuit Walk around Manly Dam.
This cache is a camoed bison tube in plain view. It is located about 10m off the main trail. There is a bit of an off path of dead branches that leads to the GZ. The bush at the GZ is not very dense so there should be no need to damage any plants.
Important:
- Check to see if there's a CLUE!
- Replace the cache exactly as you found it
- No spoilers
- Please log DNFs
- Please contact us if the cache requires maintenance
About the Zargfinders Power Trail (ZFPT)
Our family had been to Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (Manly Dam) on many occasions. However, it wasn't until shortly before placing this series (in January 2013) that we managed to complete the Circuit Walk that goes around the dam. The reason we finally got around to doing the walk was to scout out locations for a Geocaching Power Trail! And we're hoping that the Power Trail will be enough to motivate others to take this enjoyable walk.
The Power Trail originally consisted of 21 caches placed along the Circuit Walk. Unfortunately, as of August 2022, 7 of the caches have been archived so 14 caches remain. Here are the links to the archived caches, in case you're interested:
According to the park information, the walk is 7.3km and takes about 3 hours. The Power Trail is slightly shorter, as the last part follows the road/water instead of continuing along the Nature Trail through the bush.
Depending on how fast you walk and how quickly you find and log the caches, the Power Trail could take you between 3 1/2 and 6 hours to complete. When we trialled the Power Trail, it took us about 5 1/4 hours. This included time spent finding caches and breaks for lunch, snacks and short swims!
Please stick to the marked Circuit Walk trail. At times your GPS may point in a slightly different direction, but there is never a need for bushbashing between caches.
Part of the walk is accessible to mountain bike riders. Please be on the lookout for cyclists when walking that portion of the track.
For more details about the Circuit Walk and other walks around Manly Dam, view the map of the park.
For more information about Manly Dam, check out the Manly Dam page on the Northern Beaches Council web site.
About the Caches
There are currently a total of 14 caches in the series. The final cache is a Puzzle Cache. The clues required to solve the puzzle can be found in 7 of the caches along the trail. (Two of the clues are provided, as the caches where they were located are now archived.)
The caches are not meant to be difficult or take a lot of time - otherwise the Power Trail would take far too long to complete. If you find yourself stumped and don't have any other PAF (Phone A Friend) options, feel free to give us a call on 0431 872 030 if you need a hint.
No two caches are alike - each has its own unique camo - and we hope you'll have a lot of fun finding them. We look forward to reading your logs.
About the Cache Terrain Rating
Please note that the terrain rating of the caches does NOT take into account the distance you need to walk to the cache. Northern Beaches Council has graded the Circuit Walk as some steep sections, mostly easy walking.
We have given the caches a minimum terrain rating of 2.5, based on the terrain of the main path. Some caches have a terrain rating that is greater than 2.5. This is based upon the terrain between the main path and the GZ.
What to Bring:
- Plenty of water & snacks
- sturdy walking shoes
- GPS and geosense!
- pen or pencil to sign logs, take notes for your logs, and write down clues
- sunscreen and hat
- swimmers if you fancy a swim before, during or after the walk
Access to the Power Trail
If you plan to complete the entire Power Trail, the best access point is from the Manly Dam wall, starting with Go on and Find It, the second cache in the series (as the first is archived).
If you prefer to complete the trail in sections, there are a number of other access points. These include:
- Water Reserve Road
- Warringah Street
- Manning Street
- Wakehurst Parkway
- Near the Aquatic Centre off Aquatic Drive
- Martin Luther Lane
- Churchill Crescent
- Monserra Road
- Nyrang Road
- Maroa Crescent
Please check out the map of the park.
Parking
There is plenty of parking in the park, though at times it can be very busy. There are 4 different parking sections. The start of the Power Trail is closest to Section 1, where parking is more limited. It's fine to park in Section 2 or 3 as then you'll have a shorter walk from the final cache to your car. Parking is free for Northern Beaches permit holders - others will need to pay. You can also park for free on King Street, which is a short walk from the start of the walking trail.
Wildlife in the Park
While taking the walk, make sure to keep a lookout for interesting wildlife. Animals you might spot include a variety of birds, water dragons, possums, snakes and even echidnas!
Manly Warringah War Memorial Park Opening Hours
Current opening hours are 7am to 5:30pm.