This cache will take you on a nice hike along the Cayuga Trail. This is a letterbox hybrid, so there will be a stamp and inkpad in the cache.
Please do not remove them!
The actual cache container IS hidden at the posted coordinates, but to make this a little more fun, I have also provided letterbox clues so that you may hunt for this cache as a true letterbox if desired. Although it is not required, I would appreciate a note in your find log telling me whether you found the cache with your GPSr or using the letterbox clues, or maybe a little of both.
The Cayuga Trail is one of the longest trails in the park. A loop trail with several long switchbacks, it covers a total distance of 2.2 miles. The trail stretches just about to the far western boundary of the park, where it begins to loop back just after providing a fantastic view of the southern end of Pine Lake. During several trips to that location, I was able to see playful beavers swimming in the lake just before sunset. The trek to the cache will only take you about a third of the way to the lake. There are a few elevation changes along the way, but hopefully your heart won't be pounding too badly by the time you get to the cache.
If you have done letterboxing before, be sure to bring your stamp and book along. The letterbox clues are below, and don't forget to check the inside of the cache lid for the coordinates to the Joker Micro cache (GC64BJC)!
Punderson State Park is open to the public from 6 am to 11 pm. While caching after dark is allowed, please be sure to exit Punderson by 11 pm when the park closes.
Letterbox Clues
For the purposes of these instructions, consider a “pace” to be a single step with either foot, while walking in a brisk manner. This distance can vary for each person depending on their size and gait, but a single pace should be roughly 2.5 feet.
Begin at the trailhead near the parking area, with the large pine tree on your left and the gazebo garden on your right. Walk down the trail and continue going forward as you pass the entrance to the Huron trail on your right. As you come down the small incline, you will see an open area where the trail splits.
Take the first trail to the left (do not go forward a short distance and then turn left) and follow it until it ends at a cross trail. On the right you will see a wooden sign that says “CAYUGA TRAIL”. Turn right and follow the trail a very short distance until you come to a 4-way trail intersection. You will see a metal sign on your right with an arrow that points forward to the "CAYUGA TR".
Continue forward onto the Cayuga Trail and follow it as it goes up a slight incline and then back down again. As you continue forward, you will pass over a small culvert where you can normally see water (or ice, depending on the season) in the trench on your left. Shortly after you pass the culvert, you will come to a steeper incline.
Continue on the trail as it takes you up the small hill. When the trail becomes fairly level again, you will be able to see the Punderson Golf Course on your left. Be aware that golf balls can occasionally land along the trail from errant shots. As you continue to follow the trail, there will be a slight, but obvious curve to the right. Shortly after that, the trail will curve back to the left. Once you have turned back to the left, you will need to look for some objects that mark your location.
Find the two large beech trees on the right that are about 30 to 40 feet apart and very close to the trail. Line yourself up with the second tree and take 30 paces forward along the trail. From that point look to the right (north) and you should see a huge tree that is about 30 to 40 feet off the trail. It is about four feet in diameter at its base, and much of the tree has split off and is lying in splintered pieces at its base.
Watch for poison ivy and enter the woods, walking north to the right of the huge tree. Please be cautious in case more pieces of this tree happen to fall.
UPDATE!
Another large part of the huge tree has now fallen, and it is lying across the area you need to go to get to the cache. The eight foot stump that was a reference point is now a one foot pile of rotting wood buried under the fallen tree.
You will need to continue moving due north, either by climbing over the fallen tree trunk or working your way around it somehow. Once you are on the other side of the tree, you will need to step over several small logs and then look for an old uprooted tree when you have gone about 50 feet past the large fallen tree. The roots are sticking up in clear view while the tree is lying behind them in a state of decay. Look for a cavity formed by the top side of the roots and there you will find the hidden container.
Good luck!