HI Geocachers: Tree Planting Road Traditional Cache
Cubbybear1963: This cache has been muggled again...it will be the last time. Thank you for the support...a new cache might be near here in the future, but for now Mahaloand Aloha.
HI Geocachers: Tree Planting Road
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Size: 
(regular)
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This is an interesting trip if you have a 4WD vehicle and don't care about scratches on the finish. It's about 10 miles alltogether and goes through a range of plant communities and degrees of volcanic weathering.
The timber plantations on windward Mauna Loa were developed in the 1960's and 1970's - I'm not certain what year Tree Planting Road was created. Huge swathes of native forest on windward Mauna Loa were bulldozed away to create the timber plantations, introducing many noxious weeds deep into the former wilderness.
Tree Planting Road crosses the eastern slope of the windward Saddle above Hilo for 10 miles from Saddle Road (16 mile marker, elev. 4200 ft) to Stainback Highway (2900 ft) on Mauna Loa's eastern rift zone. It is a very popular road with hunters and 4-wheelers. I really love the view of Mauna Kea and the beautiful ohia trees and lichen covered lava rocks that surround this area.
This large cache is hidden somewhere at the start of the trail. The uphill entrance is just beyond the 16 mile marker on Saddle Road (and marked with a yellow sign). When parking for the cache DO NOT BLOCK THE ENTRANCE TO THE ROAD! You will have to navigate up the trail until you reach a yellow gate, if you pass the gate, you went too far.
While up here, take the time to appreciate to view of Mauna Kea and your surroundings.DO NOT BE ALARMED if you hear gunshots. That's because the local shooting range is across the road nearby. The cache is in a no hunting area so you will be safe. Please be aware of the terrain because of hidden mudholes and loose rocks. Watch for traffic along the trails, even though for the most part it's deserted.
At the time of cache placement there was hardly any trash, but CITO when possible. Please place the cache exactly as you found it or better. PLEASE NO SPOILERS!....I hope you enjoy this place as much as I do...aloha!
Mahalo to Hiloshell & Del ...FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybbx yrsg...vg'f ABG gurer.
Treasures
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