Update 2021: After years of nary a visitor to the entire west half of the Conservancy, winter or summer, except for a few geocachers and the parks and rec director, the turkey trails aura is vastly changed, and terrain may have gotten easier at times, due to the surprising new boardwalk. It remains to be seen whether the stated terrain will be adjusted, however, as the water levels seem to have risen in the area. Enjoy the new trail access, now intersecting with the old turkey trail that may still exist here in some spots.
Turkey trails in the snow are the winter highlight for perhaps the last special spot for a cache in the conservancy. Lots of trails are present just a day after a fresh snow, many more if there have been a few days since fresh cover. The birds can be spotted scampering ahead if you move carefully, and I've seen them about half of my exploring visits in the west end of the conservancy this winter. Except for a hen with ten or so chicks once early last summer, I've only seen a handful of adult birds together, but their tracks make for an easy to follow trail, and they criss-cross everywhere from wp1 to the final, continuing on past Old Giants territory.
The birds are walking on water here at the time of the year this cache was placed. The frozen marsh and drainage streams make for easier going than in the deeper snow in the flanking woods. Those who seek this cache in the heart of the winter will walk on water as well, at least if you watch for soft spots. But to be fair, the terrain is set for an average favoring the experience likely most of the rest of the year. And what it looks like then may have other delights than turkey trails and red-bellied woodpeckers, like the wild iris patches en route to the Old Giants final.
There sure haven't been many new caches around here this winter so Dave told me to help out if I had the time. I think he's been in there already.
Please observe conservancy hours. They are: Mar. 1 to Nov. 30: 6am to 8pm, Dec. 1 to Feb. 28: 7am to 6pm.