The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) was designated the state reptile of Tennessee in 1995. These turtles are easily identified by their bright markings and their high, dome-shaped carapace (top shell). They are terrestrial but can be found soaking in puddles or streams. It is the only turtle in Tennessee that can completely close itself within its shell. Numbers are currently slightly declining: the main contributors to this decline are habitat loss, the pet trade, and motor vehicle strikes. Make sure to drive slowly in your parks for the sake of all wildlife. I couldn't decide if this was a 3.5 or 4 terrain so I erred on the side of caution.
This geocache is one in a series of 15 that I have placed along the Cub Lake Trail in Natchez Trace State Park located in Wildersville, Tennessee. Natchez Trace State Park is a 10,154 acre state park located within a 48,000 acre state forest and wildlife management area. Cub Lake is approximately 52 acres in size and the trail around it is approximately 5.8 miles long and considered moderate difficulty. There are approximately 13.5 miles of hiking trails in the park and an overnight trail that is 40 miles long. Other activities at the park include swimming at Cub Lake, boating on various lakes, mountain biking, fishing, and horseback riding. There are also campgrounds and pavilions available for rental.
I would like to thank Walter Pope, park manager, for granting permission for these geocache hides. Please be respectful of the area and stay on the trails for as long as possible. Be sure to bring your boots if you do the whole trail, it can get muddy in sections.