There are 50 geocaches hidden within 16 state parks and state historic sites in the Saratoga/Capital District region, and geocachers finding them all will be eligible to enter their names in a drawing for valuable prizes. If you are interested in taking up the challenge, you can pick up a geocache passport at any of the participating parks and sites, or download the passport at www.nysparks.com.
This cache contains a unique stamp which must stay with the cache. Use this stamp to stamp your passport. This stamp is NOT a trade item. The first 25 people to find all 5 caches at Mine Kill State Park and bring there passport to the park office will receive a $5 gift certificate to our concession stand! Enjoy!
Park at the park office parking lot (N42 26.082 W074 27.795) and find the Long Path marked with green paint, heading north. As you enjoy the view of the Schoharie Valley keep an eye for the national bird, the bald eagle. You are within a half mile of a nesting pair. Leave the Long Path and continue north along the Blue Trail toward the NYPA Blenheim-Gilboa Visitor’s Center. In a few hundred feet notice a well-built rock wall to the west, followed by a small turnaround in the trail. Near the turnaround keep an eye out for a trickle of water and then follow it to its source.
Mine Kill State Park has dozens of rock walls which were used as property boundaries during the 18th and 19th centuries. Most of the rocks were excavated during agricultural activities, evidence of which may be found while hiking on many of the trails within the park. Another common boundary marker used in more recent times until present day is barbed wire. Be sure to look for the metal wire with the typical three-pronged pattern used to keep cattle from roaming too far away – while hiking and geocaching, it poses a dangerous trip hazard to anyone exploring the park.
Mine Kill State Park is open during the summer months from 7:30am to 8pm and 7:30am to 4pm the rest of the year. There is a $3 entry fee into the park during the summer months. You can reach the park office at 518-827-6111 for more information