This is a challenge cache. It is placed at the listed coordinates. To log this cache, you must have previously found at least 250 Mystery Caches in your geocaching profile. These are the caches with the "blue question marks" that show up on the geocaching maps. You can check your profile under the "Geocaches Found" list, which breaks down your finds by cache type. If the list on your account has 250 or more finds of the "Mystery Cache" type, then, "Congratulations! You can log this challenge!"
Just a year ago, this weekend in 2016, 100 Mystery Cache Challenge (GC6XN0Z) was published, the first Green-Hippo cache to be placed. At the time, mrGreen317 had just over 100 mystery cache finds. With now just over 300 mystery caches found and logged, mrGreen317 is happy to provide another fun, puzzle-oriented challenge to the area. The CO's qualifications are shown on the statistical screen shot below, taken 12/5/2017. To qualify for the 250 for this challenge, any other "?" mystery/unknown caches may be found, including other challenges, geo-art, easy or hard puzzles, just so long as you have found and logged 250 or more of the "Mystery"/"Unknown" kind of geocache. The only 'catch' is that this cache itself does not count toward that 250 goal.
So go out and make some Mystery Cache finds to meet this challenge!
Use the handy challenge checker provided below to easily see if you already qualify or to find out how much further you need to go to meet the challenge.
It is possible to log this cache physically even if you do not meet the challenge, but you are required to meet the challenge before you log the find on-line. The CO reserves the right to enforce the rules of this challenge and may delete on-line logs for users that do not pass the challenge checker.
Congratulations to carels for an after-dark FTF on day one having qualified with 2433 Mystery cache finds before this one!
Congratulations also go to e-r-h for the second day early morning STF, making the qualification with 331 Mystery cache finds. Interestingly enough, the last cache found by e-r-h to get to 331 was a mystery/unknown cache by none other than MattressGnome, who has since promised to provide more of his signature puzzles to help others get the qualifications for the challenge here.
Have fun and solve those puzzles!
Getting to the cache:
The goal of this cache is meeting the challenge, not in having a difficult time finding and logging it, so some helpful directions are provided here. Parking for the cache is located 400 feet up a state game land road off of PA-350. (If driving from I-99, take exit 52, and follow the signs for PA-350 south). The game land road is gravel and a bit rocky in places. If you are not comfortable with taking your vehicle there, you might consider the alternate parking location along PA-350 which adds a short 500 foot uphill walk to approaching the cache. Pull safely off of the highway and be sure not to block the game lands access road if you choose this option. More spacious parking off PA-350 is just across from the gamelands road (alternate parking coordinates), but please use care if parking here when walking across the state highway to begin your hike up the hill.
From main SGL parking, walk up to the game lands gate (about 165 feet) along the access road, and then continue past the gate for about 700 feet. The container is an ammo can just down the hill into the woods on the right side of the game land road. See the extra hint if needed. Note that you will be passing the original 100 Mystery Challenge cache, GC6XN0Z, that we placed last year, just to the right of the gate in the woods.
There are rocks in and around GZ. The slope from the road toward GZ is slightly steep. Good footwear is recommended. Also, as this is a wooded area with rocks, be on the lookout for wild animals, including snakes.
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.
This is a Green-Hippo cache
Old (NOT current) hint: Look for the tree with the hollow bottom; ammo can is in the bottom of the tree with a geocover of rocks
Current TEMPORARY Hint:Currently located on a small tree about 15 feet away, a bit closer to the SGL road and in line with the pipe culvert under the SGL road. The bison is of a larger size and shiny red.