This Cache is placed as part of the 2016 New York State Park Saratoga/Capital District Regional Geocache Challenge. There are 76 geocaches hidden within 18 state parks and historic sites in this parks region, and geocachers finding 40 or more will be eligible to receive a commerative, unique, and trackable geocoin. The first 100 people to find 40 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 New for 2016 – NYS Parks Central Region will be hosting a similar challenge!! 10 caches found in the Central Region Challenge can be used toward the Sara-Cap Challenge!
This cache contains a unique stamp which must stay with the cache. Use this stamp to mark 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.
Schodack Island State Park is open during the summer months from 7:00am to dusk and 7:00am to 4:30pm for the winter months. There is a $6 entry fee into the park during the summer, weekends and holidays only. During the week there is no fee. You can reach the park office at 518-732-0187 for more information.
This cache is along the entrance road to the park. A Schodack Island trail map is available at http://parks.ny.gov/parks/attachments/SchodackIslandTrailMap.pdf
The Nine Mile Tree marks the distance to Fort Orange by boat. The story is that originally this tree was a great big Oak and was on the river's edge. Next to it was a red lantern so sailors could see it even at night. The tree signifies the distance to Fort Orange. The Oak blew over and in it's place a Cottonwood tree grew up. The tree is no longer next to the river - did the tree move - or did the river move? Schodack Island used to be seven different islands - now just one big peninsula, the island has been covered and filled with dredge spoils from the river - so did the island move or the tree? Temporary roadside stopping has been approved to find this cache. Enjoy!