About this cache:
This cache is located in beautiful Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area, a 2,500 acre New York State owned tract of land located in Middlebury.
The area lies in the northwestern Cattaraugus Highlands portion of the Appalachian Plateau. This ecological zone is characterized by flat-topped uplands with deep intervening valleys. Carlton Hill is comprised primarily of abandoned farmland interspersed with scattered small woodlots and wetlands. Poor soils and steep unworkable slopes coupled with the hardships of the Great Depression caused many farms to abandon the land in the 1920's through the 1940's. The NYSDEC began acquiring the abandoned properties in 1961 under the Park and Recreation Land Acquisition Bond Act of 1960.
In 2006, Carlton was recognized for having many different species of either endangered or threatened birds which led to it being named a Bird Conservation Area. Carlton Hill is a unique habitat that provides good food and cover for a wide variety of birds, including at risk species such as Henslow's sparrow (threatened), northern harrier (threatened), grasshopper sparrow (special concern), horned lark (special concern), and yellow-breasted chat (special concern). There are also some upland forest, riparian forest, and small wetland areas that provide habitat for pied-billed grebe (threatened).
So be sure to grab your binoculars and visit this diverse and beautiful area, you will not be disappointed. Please note the cache is found near the trail, so do not bushwhack or go off-trail, to ensure we preserve this area for the flora and fauna that call Carlton Hill home.
An immense thank you to Snowman257 and Crys71 for their work on this cache.
Fun fine print:
All final caches are 30 caliber ammo cans or larger. Permission was given to place this cache by the land owner / manager. Please respect their property by leaving no trace, practicing Cache-In-Trash-Out and replacing the cache better than you found it. Enjoy!
