Update 1/2/2020: The path that Ursula's tree is on has been closed off. So I've moved it to a different sign on a different tree.
The beginning of this cache takes you to Mengerson Nature Reserve located right amongst the hustle and bustle of Stellhorn Rd. ACRES has a strict Leave No Trace policy. Hence, geocaches are not allowed on ACRES properties. However, I have permission from ACRES to place a virtual cache. The location given is not the location of the cache. The physical cache is located outside of the reserve on non-ACRES property.
The coordinates will take you to the trailhead in the reserve. You are looking for a sign along the trail for a tree marked as "Carl's". Use the scientific name of the tree to decode the coordinates of the cache.
Coordinates are in the format
DD° MM.SSS N
DD° MM.SSS W
Find the keywords and enter them hence:
41° (7th letter)(12th letter) . (4th letter)(10th letter)(5th letter)" N
85° (7th letter)(4th letter) . (3rd letter)(2nd letter)(1st letter)" W
Decoder:
A = 7
B = 4
C = 1
D = 8
E = 9
F = 6
G = 8
H = 6
I = 4
J = 3
K = 9
L = 3
M = 7
N = 3
O = 0
P = 5
Q = 5
R = 3
S = 0
T = 0
U = 6
W = 4
X = 7
Z = 2
Remember to stay on the paths and follow a Leave No Trace Policy - take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
Note that sometimes ACRES will close a certain path so if you don't find the sign then please let me know and I'll make an adjustment.
Also, if you see vandalism or junk in Mengerson let me know. The very first cache I ever found was in this Reserve so it is fitting that the very first cache I ever place also makes use of this Reserve.
ACRES Land Trust has over 70 miles of trails in 32 counties preserving more than 6,500 acres in northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio and southern Michigan.
ACRES preserves significant natural areas: forests, wetlands, native grasslands, unique geologic formations, and habitat for plants and animals including rare, threatened and endangered species.
At Mengerson Reserve, you will see three stages of forest succession. First, there is an open meadow with stands of hawthorn and gray dogwood. Then, there are early-stage woods of elm, shagbark hickory and maple, plus a mature forest of sugar maple, beech, oak and shagbark and shellbark hickory. Finally, there is a beech/maple forest. The three habitats and their variety of trees also mean a variety of birds and wildflowers.