Horses and Hammerheads Traditional Cache
Hidden : 5/31/2013
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This is a Maryland DNR-approved geocache. Before attempting this cache, be sure you have fully read the description below, including the warnings. You alone are responsible for your own safety, as well as your impact on the environment.

This cache is a clear plastic sandwich-sized lock-n-lock located in the Woodstock area of Patapsco State Park, an undeveloped section popular with equestrians (horses) and mountain bikers (hammerheads, like the CO). The one blazed trail in this section will not take you to the cache, but the extensive network of unmarked trails will. The DNR sells a Complete Trail Guide to Patapsco State Park, consider getting a copy and taking waypoints along your way. Precise turn-by-turn directions to the vicinity of the cache are below.

The recommended approaches are from the south (4 - 5 miles round trip) starting where Woodstock Road/Old Court Road crosses the Patapsco, and from the east via Hernwood Road (5 - 6 miles round trip). To find the cache, follow the directions to Waypoint A, then follow the directions from there to the cache.

FROM THE SOUTH, park at the indicated waypoint, cross the road bridge over the river and turn left into the driveway which you will share with authorized and emergency vehicles only. At the end, where the driveway veers to the right uphill, continue straight on the trail and cross the little creek. Immediately after crossing the creek bear right and you will see a trail to the right ascending the hill in an old road cut. This old seminary road takes you on a lovely walk past picturesque waterfalls and cascades, then takes you straight to Waypoint A, where you will go NORTH, or LEFT.

FROM THE EAST, you will need to find your way to the Fox Rock Quarry. There are directions for parking and finding the quarry elsewhere on this website (used with permission). From the quarry, there is a trail that heads generally southwest which will take you to Waypoint A, where you will go NORTH or RIGHT.

FROM WAYPOINT A go NORTH. You will go up a hill steeply then continue past a small cairn. You will wind back and forth through some woods until you come into a small clearing with a trail junction. At the intersection, BEAR SLIGHTLY RIGHT and continue ahead, descending to a utility right of way marked with yellow and orange pylons. GO RIGHT. You will go a short distance uphill and just before the next set of pylons a trail will appear on your left. GO LEFT. Continue through a field on the forest's edge and when the trail enters the forest proper, you will be at a T-intersection. Your GPS should point the way from here. You will know you are getting close to the cache when you spot the abandoned powder blue 1958 Impala.

Be sure to read the warnings and rehide the cache at least as well as you found it. Have fun!

WARNINGS:
1. The abandoned car near ground zero attracts Copperhead snakes, a venomous pit viper. The car is also a tetanus risk.
2. There is an invasive plant known as Wavyleaf Basketgrass near the cache. Please review the detailed information and photos available here. Do not go into the woods on the east side of the trail near GZ (the side where the car is), and when you seek the cache on the west side of the trail, stay out of the nearby patches of this invasive plant. If unsure, the hint tells you the cache location.
3. There will be mud.
4. Don't approach this cache from the north via McKeldin unless you are already intimately familiar with the Woodstock area. It's a long, wet, muddy slog, and rain or releases from Liberty Reservoir can cause the Northern Branch of the Patapsco to rise unexpectedly, blocking your return.

*** CONGRATS to vicekitty on FTF!! ***

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

GUR SBYYBJVAT VF GUR RKNPG YBPNGVBA BS GUR PNPUR: N srj cnprf cnfg gur nonaqbarq pne, lbh jvyy frr n snvag fvqr genvy ba gur yrsg. Sbyybj guvf genvy gb jurer gurer vf n fznyy ybt npebff gur genvy. Sbyybj gur ybt gb gur yrsg nobhg gra srrg hagvy lbh pbzr gb jurer nabgure ybt unf snyyra npebff guvf ybt. Gur pnpur vf uvqqra haqre gur vagrefrpgvba bs gurfr gjb ybtf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

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