This cache is published on the weekend one year after the events detailed in the following ongoing geocaching saga, and it is placed along the same trail that plays into the story, hiked by these four geocachers on 9/18/2016.
So maybe we should rewind back to 8/8/16, actually just five days after the adventure on "Steal" Mountain with OddMushroom. mrGreen317 was at the computer in the evening back home, looking over some past cache logs, something he used to do a lot in the early days when there were not so many logs and caches, mostly to see who might come after certain caches that he had recently found. mrGreen317's first event to meet other geocachers was 7/20/16, and he was still getting a feel for the 'community'. That evening of 8/8, mrGreen317 noticed a number of well-written logs on a series of caches up the hill from Tipton that he had logged the morning of that first event on 7/20. A cacher using the name 'jax-man' and a friend, BanditDakota, had just enjoyed a great adventure on those same caches, along with someone referred to as 'geoson'. The logs jax-man wrote even invited mrGreen317 (and all other cachers) "To read about all the geoson's adventures of the day, check out our other logs from today." So mrGreen317 read them all, and then sent this friendly message:
"Reading back over logs of cache finds that I made, I enjoyed reading of the adventures you detailed from 8/7/2016 in the Tipton Run area"
A friendly response was returned, along with some discussion from jax-man requesting a code for the now-archived Great TB Chase (Blair County) that was sitting in "The Survivors" cache (GC5KJCV) that mrGreen317 still needed to find and that jax-man had found but had forgotten to note the TB codes. Well, one message led to another, and soon they were back and forth about puzzles, particularly the tricky ones in State College, and other cache-related things. After a few weeks of geo-messages, an offer to join on a caching trip for "Down and Dirty" (GC64TCR) was sent to mrGreen317, so he decided to finally meet jax-man in person. Since BanditDakota would also be part of this caching trip, mrGreen317 was also excited to meet him as well.
mrGreen317 actually met these two cachers at the nearby "Blue Holes" cache, since jax-man and Bandit started the afternoon there, and mrGreen317 could easily walk over from where he parked to meet them. After the Blue Holes, the three newly-acquainted geocachers climbed into the cave at "Down and Dirty" to get that cache, and since jax-man and BanditDakota were still looking for more geocaching adventure, the group moved up to the caches along Lock(e) Ridge which is where they met up with OddMushroom, who also wanted to meet jax-man and BanditDakota.
So together, the four geocachers enjoyed a wonderful walk along the Lock(e) Mountain Ridge for this series of caches, their first hike together: caching buddies OddMushroom and mrGreen317 along with caching friends jax-man and BanditDakota. Many adventures followed throughout the ensuing months, sometimes with the four of them, sometimes with two or three, and eventually others joined in on some adventures as well.
The amusing footnote to this part of the story is provided by something jax-man wrote on the 'found-it' note from the Triple-Gold adventure cache that mrGreen317 created for jax-man's 3K milestone (since a 1K milestone cache had never been provided):
[ This is the story from jax-man's words from that 3K cache log ]: "This 3K adventure actually started on Aug 7, 2016 – although we’d started caching about a year prior to that. Our adventures that August day (We had great fun that day, you should check them out.) just happened to follow the same set of caches that Mr. Green had done about 2.5 weeks earlier. For whatever reason, Mr. Green looked back over those caches and found our antics for the day. He sent me the following message: 'Reading back over logs of cache finds that I made, I enjoyed reading of the adventures you detailed from 8/7/2016 in the Tipton Run area.' At first I thought he might be some kind of crazed cacher-stalker. I cautiously exchanged a few more messages and then arranged a joint caching adventure of which I brought another cacher, Bandit Dakota, with me for protection. (I was just heeding all the warnings about meeting people on-line for the first time!) That’s when I learned firsthand that Mr. Green was actually a very nice guy and that he had nice friends too! Later that day, he introduced us to Odd Mushroom who shortly thereafter introduced Green Nikki."
Well, mrGreen317 is sure glad to know that he proved not to be a "crazed cacher-stalker". Now that the next part of the tale has been told, enjoy a simple two-stage multi-cache along the Lock(e) Mountain Ridge trail in SGL 147, along the same trail where these two pairs of friends met that first time. Make some good geocaching memories with some of your own friends, or just enjoy the peaceful walk solo; it's up to you. Be sure to enjoy some of the views along the way.
Easy Multi-cache Directions:
Park along Locke Mountain Road at the top where there is a pull-off on the southeast side of the road by the posted coordinates (on the right side of the road when driving from Hollidaysburg into "The Cove" toward Royer). There is room for three or more cars off the road along the guardrail. (Be sure not to block the driveway just down the road on the Hollidaysburg side of the hilltop.) Across Locke Mountain Road (northwest side) is a trail into SGL. You will see the typical SGL keystone sign that says "No motor vehicles" to indicate the trail. First, find the printed final coordinates and hint that are located in a keyhider in the guardrail adjacent to the parking location (follow your GPS to posted/stage one coordinates for this cache; use the hint provided on this cache page if needed). Next, proceed carefully across the road for a relatively short hike along the ridge to the stage two coordinates (final location). You might catch some nice views along the way at other caches along the trail as you go. The terrain will give you a little bit of a rise at the start of the trail, nice walking along the grassy trail at the ridge-top, and some in-the-woods bushwhacking near the final stage.
If you have yet to do so, think about checking out the Lock Ridge (GC2JJ34) cache, which is not far past a cut up and down that ridge that offers amazing views. Closer to parking is Photogenic #2 Reprise (GC5TEJF), a cache that offers a phenomenal view for a short stroll through the woods off the path and out onto a rock field. These are two of the caches visited by this group during that first meeting on 9/18/2016.
Is it Lock Mountain or Locke Mountain? It seem to be presented both ways in certain cache titles and descriptions and on maps. Hence this cache title and other uses of Lock(e) in this cache's description.
Congratulations to MrBee&WillowTree for FTF ... Taking a break from occupational duties to answer the call of the "<Bing Bong>"!
This cache is located in state game lands, so PLEASE observe all state game land rules and wear orange during hunting seasons. During the primary hunting season, finding this cache is recommended on Sunday only.
Also note the standard SGL attributes set on this cache to warn you of the possibility of thorns, poison plants, ticks, spiders, and yes, maybe even a snake (although that is a lower probability). Consider all the normal precautions when walking in the woods, and think about where you place your hands when reaching for the cache.
Many thanks to OddMushroom for the fantastic paint job on the ammo can at the final location.