This Cache is placed as part of the New York State Park Saratoga/Capital District Regional Geocache Challenge. There are 52 geocaches hidden within 16 state parks and historic sites in this parks region, and geocachers finding 35 or more will be eligible to enter their names in a drawing for valuable prizes. The first 75 people to find 35 or more caches will receive a special geocache challenge coin. 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 it 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. Some of the items in the cache are park souvenirs and do not need to be replaced with a trade item.
Hemlocks are large, shade tolerant trees that provide deep shade, keeping the forest floor cool on hot summer days. In the winter time they keep snow off of the ground, allowing deer and other forest animals some respite from floundering through deep snowdrifts. Hemlock trees are under threat from the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, a microscopic invasive insect that has devastated hemlock stands throughout the eastern seaboard. From Paint Mine, take a walk up to the Nature Trail and check out these gentle giants.