For my first cache hide, I chose the CERA nature preserve on the UMBC campus, where I work. Begin at the provided trail head coordinates along Research Park Drive. On weekends, parking is available along the road near the trail head. At other times, use one of the two provided parking waypoints. Do not attempt to access the cache from Sulphur Spring Rd, Shelbourne Rd, or I-195.
Long pants are highly recommended in the summertime!
From the trail head, follow the yellow blazes to the initial cache coordinates. At the coordinates, you should see a man-made object. Observe the type and color of the object.
If the object is a:
Birdhouse: A=1
Mailbox: A=2
Bench: A=3
Shelter: A=4
Sign on post: A=5
Fence: A=6
If the object's color is:
Red: B=1
White: B=2
Orange: B=3
Black: B=4
Yellow: B=5
Green: B=6
Use the following formulas to project the coordinates from the object to the cache location:
Bearing = (212+A*10) degrees true
Distance = (360+B*152) feet
Keep right onto the the white blazed trail, and follow it until you are less than 100' from the cache coordinates (going left will get you there too, but right is shorter).
Note! Although this is a blazed trail, it is narrow and not particularly well maintained. Parts of it can get overgrown, especially in the summer. Be prepared for encroaching stickers and thorns. Also, parts of the trail (particularly near the entrance) can get muddy after heavy rains. Long pants and proper hiking footwear are strongly recommended! Watch out for thorns near the cache hide spot.
To fully appreciate this great preserve, I recommend hiking the entire trail; it's less than a mile and loops back to the beginning. Just continue in the same direction after finding the cache. For more information about CERA, including trail map and interpretive trail guide, see the Related Web Page. Happy hunting!
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