IMPORTANT: THANKS FOR VISITING OUR GEOCACHES AT MISTLETOE STATE PARK! WE URGE YOU TO PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE CACHE DESCRIPTION BEFORE GETTING STARTED.
THE GEOCACHE: Ut-oh! When you arrive at this point, the trail seems to simply disappear - but careful observation of the blue blazes will lead you onward.
Before you continue, however, we suggest that you use the posted coordinates to locate a nearby small container, hidden in a dry and safe spot about 25 feet to the northwest after you cross the gully. The spot is concealed by a medium-sized piece of naturally occurring solid aggregate consisting of minerals or mineraloids. Please restore the concealment to its place after signing the log and re-situating the cache.
Suggestion: Tree canopy here can be disruptive. Once at GZ, allowing your GPSr signal to settle for a few minutes before starting your search will likely prove to be helpful.
REMEMBER TO BRING A PEN OR STAMP! YOU MUST SIGN THE LOG TO GET CREDIT FOR THIS CACHE. ONLINE LOGS THAT DON’T HAVE A CORRESPONDING LOGBOOK SIGNATURE MAY BE DELETED.
AFTER SIGNING, BE SURE TO CLOSE THE CACHE CONTAINER SECURELY AND RETURN IT TO ITS EXACT LOCATION, WITH CAMOUFLAGE INTACT.
GENERAL INFO:
This geocache is located on the property of Mistletoe State Park (MSP). It was placed with park permission. A valid Georgia State Parks ParkPass or a $5.00 day-use vehicle fee is required for entry. Passes must be purchased at the MSP office prior to starting your hike. Ample parking is available near the office, with a few spots closer to the trailhead. To avoid ticketing, park your geo-vehicle in approved spaces only! DAYTIME CACHING ONLY, PLEASE!
We strongly suggest that you obtain a state park trail map before starting out. Be prepared for a significant hike. An adequate water supply is a must! Good hiking shoes are strongly recommended (this is not a hike for sandals or flip-flops). Allow plenty of time to complete your experience. Most of all, have fun!!
GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR APPROACHING GC6TZE1:
This particular geocache is located on the Rock Dam Trail. Getting to this GZ requires a round-trip hike of about four miles, with two stream crossings at Cliatt Creek (out and back). Depending on the weather, the creek has some spots along its banks where one can cross without getting wet. Otherwise, some level of wading may be involved.
Start out from the MSP office on the Cliatt Creek Nature Trail (WHITE blazes). Connect with the Rock Dam Trail (BLUE blazes) on the other side of the water course. Turn right and follow the blue-blazed trail to GZ.
ROCK DAM TRAIL CACHES:
The combined trails (Cliatt Creek-Rock Dam) are approximately 7 miles’ round trip hike. At this time (Spring 2021), the trail leads to five active geocaches. It is a beautiful trail with many natural wonders along the way. This includes rock outcrops; a rock dam; a split rock; a place known as “Devil’s Gorge”; and a “sitting tree”. Don’t be surprised if you see various sorts of wildlife. Remember that you’re visiting their home, so be watchful for venomous snakes, especially in warm-weather months.
This is a long hike and is not for everyone. Of the trails in MSP this one is rated the most challenging. Terrain changes and water crossings add to the difficulty. It has a maximum grade of 25% in 200 feet.
FINALLY:
Geocaching is supposed to be fun! We hope that you really enjoy this experience. The opportunity for exercise and fresh air alone are very much worth it. Geocaching makes it even better…
But please remember:
- THIS IS A RELATIVELY LONG HIKE. BE PREPARED. SMALL CHILDREN MAY WISH TO OPT OUT.
- NOT ALL CACHES ARE CREATED EQUAL. SOME ARE MUCH MORE CHALLENGING THAN OTHERS. THEREFORE, GEOCACHING NOVICES AND VETERANS ALIKE MAY BE DISAPPOINTED GOING INTO IT UNPREPARED OR EXPECTING SOMETHING SIMPLE.
- READ THE ATTRIBUTES! THEY WILL HELP YOU PREPARE FOR THE CHALLENGE. DNF IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY, BUT WE WANT YOU TO FIND THIS CACHE AND ENJOY YOUR TIME ON THE TRAILS!
If you enjoy this geocaching experience, please consider awarding it a favorite point so that others might be encouraged to visit. Thanks, and happy caching!
FTF: Sought and Found, with hiking2175! Well done...
NOTE: MR. AND MRS. PLANTSTRONG CONSIDER IT AN HONOR TO HAVE BEEN GRANTED ADOPTION RIGHTS TO THIS "LEGACY" GEOCACHE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED BY OUR FRIENDS, PILGRIMSPROGRESS. WE HOPE TO KEEP THE SMILES COMING FOR MANY FUTURE CACHERS.