This is my first attempt at a geo-trail so we will see how it works. I got this idea after doing a few similar trails like this one which consists of 15 traditionals and a final “mystery” cache at the very end. If you haven’t done the Woodcock Creek Reservoir Series (http://coord.info/GC3YW5R) or the iZit Series (http://coord.info/GC497A7) they are both very well laid out. This is what I modeled the series after. Each one of the 15 traditional geocaches have a Letter=Number Key on the log book. You will need to write down each one of them in order to solve the final. Once you have all 15 traditional geocaches all you have to do is put the Letters in alphabetical order going from A->O. (A through G being the North coordinates and H through O being the west coordinates) That will reveal the correct coordinates for the mystery cache... almost...Or rather it would have been a great area but unfortunately not a legal one....you see there is another cache very close to that area. So please if you want a great view you may proceed there. Or you can subtract 0.253 from the North coordinates and add 0.67 to the west coordinates....Wow what an even better view am I right?
This trail was laid during the winter time. For that reason and because NWPA gets a lot of snow during the winter months I wanted to make each and every one of these geocaches snow friendly. For that reason NONE of them are on the ground, underneath a rock or in a piece of fallen deadfall. If you are having trouble finding any of these please let me know. I do have spoiler pictures I can send to you once you have logged a DNF. By doing it this way I will be able to do upkeep on them if necessary as well. I would first ask yourself though – Where would the CO hide it? As some of these places have a little theme to them.
So the trail name comes from when/where the trail was laid. Beginning of January in NWPA was very snowy and very cold. One would think that during this time everything is in a hibernation state or died off. NOT TRUE! It seemed every step I took while laying this trail I was either tripped up by a vine or hole in the ground. Or I was being poked and prodded by anything and everything sharp, pointy, or sticky. There is multiple connotations to this trail one of which is yes it will be slow going, no matter what time of year it may be. But the other one I feel you will find out real quick if you attempt this is that everything is “Pokey”. Sharp jaggers, briers, and pricker bushes everywhere. That’s only in the winter time. I can only imagine how much poison ivy, mosquitoes and jungle like growth will be here during the summer/fall months. I would HIGHLY SUGGEST some sort of Carhartt type clothing or expect yourself to become a human pin cushion. A wise geocacher once said “Don’t forget your gloves!” This would also be good knowledge to abide by.
Before you venture off I leave you with a few more things to consider.
1.) Remember this is State Game Lands- A bright color anytime of the year would be advisable but especially during hunting season. You don’t want to get mistaken for a Yeti or anything now do you?
2.) Bring a friend…or two. Geocaching is always more fun in numbers. This is also a more remote area of land so it’s good from a safety aspect as well.
3.) Keep in mind, this is a Birdman320 cache...as with many of my other caches, tall waterproof boots or more would be advisable, especially in the spring.
4.) Finally (in the words of BBB) don’t forget to bring your camera! Because who knows what you might see (Like a Yeti).
Good Luck and I look forward to reading about your adventure.