If you live in the northern part of New Jersey, you are undoubtably familiar with this interstate highway, simply known by many Jerseyians as "Route 80 or just "80". A highway that has it's beginnings in New York City, and spans the country, ending in San Francisco, California. Built to ease congestion out of New York City, but also aiding in the urban sprawl across the northern New Jersey.
I discovered this geocache location while finding the geocaches called Alphano (GC82KW4), Betano (GC82MYP), and Gammano (GC82WTB) shortly after they were published, and Autumn in Allamuchy (GC5CGHA). These geocaches are located on the ALLAMUCHY NATURE TRAIL and a rail trail found on New Jersey State Park lands. I wanted to see what was further "down the trail" and discovered this spot that was "stuck in the middle" so to speak. I thought it a great place to hide a geocache! However, the posted coordinates get you in the middle of a small pond at the neighboring townhouse complex. The geocache is not there.
To find the cache, simply solve this puzzle: N 40 55.ABC W 074 50.DEF --- However, please remember DO NOT ACCESS THE CACHE OFF OF ROUTE 80 - IT IS NOT POSSIBLE. after solving the puzzle.
Solve for A. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) also identifies Route 80 as Christopher Columbus Highway (1); Blue Star Memorial Highway (2); United Spanish-American War Veterans Memorial Highway (3); or Veterans Memorial Highway (4)
Solve for B. Traveling East from Pennsylvania. Route 80 enters New Jersey through Hunterdon (3); Sussex (5); Warren (7); or Morris (9) County?
Solve for C. Route 80 runs for how approximately how many miles in New Jersey? 75 miles (5); 110 miles (3); 59 miles (1); or 68 miles (0)
Solve for D. Heading East, Route 80 crosses over which river before going through Mount Olive Township? Delaware (8); Musconetcong (6); Paulins Kill (4); or Walkill (2).
Solve for E. Route 80 was built in segments across New Jersey starting in the 1960's but was completed in what year? Use the 3rd digit for E.
Solve for F. When did NJDOT remove all of the solar powered emergency phones from Route 80? 2010 (8); 2005 (6); 2000 (4) or 1995 (2)
Easy enough, right?!? I think even non-puzzlers will give this a shot! However, once you find the coordinates you need DO NOT ACCESS THE CACHE OFF OF ROUTE 80 - IT IS NOT POSSIBLE. Please go to the parking coordinates and find the other geocaches listed in this cache page! If you have found some of my other caches, this is one of my camouflaged specimen tubes. Stay on the trail for the entire series, and this geocache! As you get closer to the geocache location, there are posted "No Tresspassing" signs on the eastern edge of the property, but you should be fine. There is NO NEED to venture off the trail. Remember, to be safe, and DO NOT ACCESS THE CACHE OFF OF ROUTE 80 - IT IS NOT POSSIBLE.