This Cache is placed as part of the 2019 New York State Park Central Region Geocache Challenge. There are approx. 70 geocaches hidden within 20 state parks and historic sites in this parks region, the first 100 people to find 45 or more caches will receive a special geocache challenge coin. If you are interested in taking up the challenge, you can pick up a geocache passport at any of the participating parks and sites or download it at www.nysparks.com
NYS Parks Saratoga - Capital region and the Taconic region will be hosting a similar challenge!! 10 caches found in the Sara-Cap and/or Taconic region Challenge can be used toward the Central Challenge.
Be sure to check each park or site’s unique web page for possible trail maps and other facility specific information. www.nysparks.com
Be sure to bring a good old fashioned GPSr with you, as many of our beautiful State Parks/ Historic sites have limited or no cell service!!!
This cache contains a unique stamp which must stay with the cache. Use this stamp to mark your passport. This stamp is NOT a trade item. Some of the items in the cache are park souvenirs and do not need to be replaced with a trade item.
This year’s challenge caches are not on the same trail as each other, but most of them can be done in a loop from the parking lot behind the park office and all of them can be accessed from the same parking lot. There is a $7 entrance fee for those who do not have the empire pass. Free parking can be found at the hunter’s parking, but you will have a longer walk and you may end up backtracking to get back to your car.
Verona Beach State Park has an interesting history. At one point the railroad ran through the park, bringing visitors who stayed in hotels right in the park. A couple of connective canals connected Oneida Lake to the Erie Canal and Fish Creek. The area that became the state park was once privately owned and the government purchased the land in 1940. Since then trails have been built for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Other facilities have been built for swimming, ball courts, camping, concessions, and picnicking. But every once in a while while out in the park you’ll come across a relic from its past that speaks of an unknown history. This cache brings you to one such spot. It is a very short two stage multi that may leave you wondering “what is that doing here?”