(August '23 Update): Got work from the Refuge folks that they do have this trail in mind to recover in the future.
The final container is in good shape. At this point, you can get to all stages by hiking only. Not a bike or running, particularly around Stage 2 - the trail is very overgrown and somewhat non-existent for about 1/2 mile or so on both sides of this stage. It is easier to get to Stages 2 and 3 if you come from the north. See below image of when I stopped because of bushwack while running.
Since I got to all stages today, I won't archive it, but it is a tougher hike than when created.Would definitely recommend doing this in late fall or early Spring.
The cache is not at these coordinates.
But, this is where you should start your journey. This hike will probably take a couple hours.
Welcome to the Rapids Lake Education and Vistors Center - if the center is open, you should check it out. Plenty of cool things in there! Along the hike, you can see all sorts of wildlife as well as some upland prairie, river bottom forest, and plenty of lake and marsh areas.
This is the next of Run/Hike/Bike with Me caches that I have started since moving to MN. Since most of my cache finds are done while exercising, I thought I would offer this delight to others.
These caches will not necessarily be hard to find, but you will have to put some miles on the legs for them. So lace em up, grab some water, and come join the fun. Your hike will be an out-an-back on Rapids Lake Trail (you should turn around at the beginning of the Carver Creek Loop). Totally, this will be maybe 5.5 miles, depending on how much you wander around. The waypoints are all on trails which can be accessed all year long, although when there is rain, it might get a bit wet at times. The final coordinates for the cache are placed in a winter friendly place not too far from the parking lot.
All Refuge lands, including the Louisville Swamp Unit are open from sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week. Trail conditions on the Refuge vary throughout the year. Be prepared, as you may encounter changes in trail conditions while hiking, including periodic flooding, wet or muddy areas, thorny vegetation, and rough ground. Trails are ungroomed in winter and may be snow-packed and icy. To protect wildlife, please stay on designated trails and keep pets leashed at all times while visiting the Refuge.
Trail Update: As of Nov 2021 -- Came out this way to check on things. The final container is in good shape. At this point, you can get to all stages by hiking only. Not a bike or running, particularly around Stage 2 - the trail is very overgrown and somewhat non-existent for about 1/4 mile or so on both sides of this stage. It is easier to get to Stages 2 and 3 if you come from the north. Since I got to all stages today, I won't archive it, but it is a tougher hike than when created.
As for the waypoints ...
Q1 (Notice Sign) - There is a hunting notice sign that has a phone number on it. What is the last number? Consider this A.
Q2 (Trail Sign) - The trail sign nearby has three words on it. How many letter are in the first word? Consider this B.
Q3 (Trail Sign 2) - The second trail sign nearby also has three words on it. How many letter are in the first word? Consider this C.
OK, so grab a pen ...
Final:
44.43.(A)(B+2)(C+1)
93.38.(B+2)(C+1)(A)
Hope you had a great walk.
Earn the 75 and 150 mile Pathtag!
So far there have been 37 of these Hike/Bike/Run With Me Multi-caches - if you were to complete them all, you would have travelled more than 210 miles. Currently (August 2023), there are 32 active geocaches totaling 185 miles (This includes three Hike With Me Adventure Labs). I wanted to give something to the geocachers who have "put a big dent" in trying to find these. So I created two pathtags for all cachers who completed at least 75 and 150 miles while trying to get smileys on these caches. On each of the cache pages, I mention how long the travel should be for that cache. They vary from just a couple miles to a 20-mile mountain bike ride.
Here is a bookmark list of all of the caches.
So, take a look at your finds, add up the miles, and if you are more than 75 or 150 miles, let me know. You can either PM me, email me, or just grab me at an event. You do not have to show/prove anything to me about you qualifying. I will give you one if you say you have qualified.