GC56N90 Buffalo Creek Park - Linn Parks Challenge (Traditional Cache) in Iowa, United States created by Linn Co Conservation

This cache has been archived.

Linn Co Conservation: After 10 wonderful years this fantastic series is coming to an end.
Thank You Linn County Conservation for hosting this series.
Thank You to the Geocachers that created and maintained this series.
• Art & Marcia Temple (Cosmic Cachers)
• Corely Welch (CCWelch)
• Dave Beck (teambecks)
• Frank Helsell (dazedandconfused)
• Jeff Goodson (SuperGoober)
• Mike Brace (Tikibirds)
• Nathan Welch (welch)
• Ron Tonneson (RonTon)
• Tim Stewart (The Weasel)

GC56N90 ▼

A cache by Linn Co Conservation Message this owner

Hidden : 6/9/2014

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

LPC_Challenge photo LPCLogo_zps7293484b.png

What is this all about???
Linn County Conservation wants YOU to visit their parks and find some Geocache's.
Linn County Conservation owns 29 Parks and Recreation areas.
The Linn Parks Challenge will take you to 25 of these 29 Parks and Recreation areas.
(Listed below)
As an extra incentive, if you "find" all of the Geocache's for all 25 locations you will be rewarded with a special collectable trackable Geocaching coin!
Only one special / collectable trackable coin will be given per household.
Coin photo coin-front2_zps8fcf064c.png

How is this accomplished?
Download your "Passport" HERE.
Take this Passport with you when you are seeking these Caches.
Each of these 25 Caches will contain a small plate with a 'unique' embossed tag on them. Some of the caches will also have the embossed tag on the outside of the container.
They also contain a crayon in them.
Use the tag and the crayon to mark your 'Passport' to prove that you have found this Cache!
Once your Passport is completed you may claim your special coin at Wickiup Outdoor Learning Center.
N 42° 04.960 W 091° 45.862
(10260 Morris Hills Rd, Toddville, IA 52341)

NOTE: - The "Special" Coin is NOW available!!!
Each Geocaching family / Household will receive a FREE special / Trackable Coin once they have completed the passport.
Other family members (that have completed this Challenge) may purchase a coin for $10.00.
This special coin may NOT be purchased by the general public.

The month of June 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of this cache Series.
The Linn Parks Challenge Series has had a great run!
The Linn Parks Challenge Series will be ending on June 30, 2024.

Special Thanks to the Geocachers that created this series and kept it going for 10 years:
Art & Marcia Temple (Cosmic Cachers), Corely Welch (CCWelch), Dave Beck (teambecks), Frank Helsell (dazedandconfused), Jeff Goodson (SuperGoober), Mike Brace (Tikibirds), Nathan Welch (welch), Ron Tonneson (RonTon) & Tim Stewart (The Weasel).

Abbe Creek School Museum
Buffalo Creek Park
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Center Point Historic Depot
Chain Lakes Natural Area
Eastern Iowa Observatory & Learning Center
Goose Pond Natural Area
Harold & Ruth Rehrauer Natural Area
Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve
Hoover Nature Trail
J. Harold Ennis Preserve
Jay G. Sigmund Memorial Site
Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Morgan Creek Park
North Cedar Natural Area
Palisades-Dows Preserve
Palo Marsh Natural Area
Pinicon Ridge Park
Rock Island Botanical Preserve
South Cedar Natural Area
Wanatee Park
Troy Mills River Access
Wakpicada Natural Area
Wickiup Hill Learning Center
Wickiup Hill Natural Area

Buffalo Creek Park

Buffalo Creek Park is located in northeast Linn County, just west of Coggon on County Road D62.
Nestled along Buffalo Creek, rolling wooded knolls of oak and hickory combine with the open meadows adjacent to the stream valley to provide habitat for a unique variety of flora and fauna.
Wild turkey, deer, nesting Canada geese, beaver and fox are but a few of the species of wildlife that inhabit the park.
Among many other wildflowers, one of the largest populations of blue belles in the area can be found in this 128-acre park.

Buffalo Creek Park was the first park developed in Linn County, with most of the development completed by 1962.
The park is managed for multi-use recreation and offers facilities for camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, nature study and much more.

Camping
Walnut Grove Campground offers 13 sites located along Buffalo Creek.
Electrical and water hook-ups, a fire ring and picnic table are provided for each site.
A lighted, vault-type restroom, firewood sale point, playground and horseshoe courts are all located nearby.
A sanitary dumping station is provided for RV's near the entrance to the park.
All campers are required to self-register and pay the required fee.
The campground is managed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trails
There is a short, 1.2 mile trail in the north end of Buffalo Creek Park.
It is a completely level trail terrain with gravel surfacing. The trail brushes along the Buffalo Creek in a few locations and passes through numerous wetlands.
This area of the park is designated as a "Dog Training Area", and is exempt from the requirement of having your pet(s) on a leash.
Another significant point of interest along this trail is one of the largest natural collections of blue belle wildflowers in the region - be sure to plan you hike in late April or early May to catch the under story of the woods in full bloom.

Sights to See
When entering the park, look for the roadside prairie planting; numerous flowering species were introduced which provides a unique feature to the park entrance throughout the summer.
Among many other wild flowers, one of the largest populations of blue bells in the area can be found in this 126 acre park.
A short trip into Coggon provides an interesting visit to the dam and walkway structure over Buffalo Creek.

Hickory Hill Shelter
Is an open air shelter with 14 picnic tables, two grills, four electrical outlets, pressurized water and lights.
The playground, horseshoe courts and restroom are immediately adjacent.
This is reservable from April 15-October 15.
Location
Buffalo Creek Park is located near 1812 Coggon Rd, Coggon, 52218.
Operating Hours & Seasons
Buffalo Creek is open daily from 4AM to 10:30PM.
However, roads are closed to vehicles from late October until April 15, ground and stream conditions permitting.

Congratulations to those that have found all 25 Caches for the Linn Parks Challenge!
A list of the Cachers that have found all 25 Caches can be viewed on the Linn Co Conservation Profile page or at this link:
Those that have completed the Linn Parks Challenge

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur genvy vf cbfgrq

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)

This cache has been archived.

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Buffalo Creek Park - Linn Parks Challenge Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Watch

Geocache Description:

Attributes

Inventory

Bookmark Lists

Treasures