Moss is a type of plant that lacks a true root system, but rather anchors itself to a substrate – often a rock or the base of a tree, or maybe even to a bird house! – through miniscule structures known as rhizoids. Different species of moss prefer different substrates; for example, the mosses that grow on limestone are adapted to the alkaline geochemistry of the limestone, while mosses that thrive on granites are adapted to the more acidic conditions of igneous rocks. All mosses thrive most in damp conditions, though some have evolved to endure periods of dryness. What types of moss do you see along the trails of JBT?
Depending upon your trail approach to this one, if you are coming from the red-blazed Fred Schroeder Memorial Trail, take the white-blazed W4 Connector Trail to the W3 Trail to find this cache and stamp your Passport! If you have the time and would like to enjoy a nice flat hike with a very scenic view – after logging this cache, take a right onto the Long Path at the end of the W3 Trail and make the short trek to High Point for some of the most amazing views of the Capital Region and beyond!
This cache has been placed as part of the New York State Saratoga/Capital District Regional Geocache Challenge. There are 72 geocaches hidden within 18 state parks and historic sites in this park region, and geocachers finding 45 or more will be eligible to receive a 2018 Schodack Island State Park commemorative and trackable geocoin. If you are interested in taking the challenge, you can pick up a geocache passport at any of the participating parks and sites or download it at www.nysparks.com