Sugarloaf #1 Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Dr.MD: I've archived the listing to open up the area to others as the cache is missing and the owner appears to no longer be active.

Dr.MD
Geocaching.com Volunteer Cache Reviewer
My profile page: http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?u=Dr.MD

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Hidden : 9/2/2002
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Sugarloaf #1 - It's a Monadnock!

On 11/29/02, 2 Busters checked on the cache, thinking it was missing since the last three cachers failed to find it. But it's still there! The problem is that the "pointer tree" mentioned in the encrypted hint has rolled downhill, so now it doesn't point at anything interesting. There's a new clue encrypted below, which doesn't rely on moveable objects for its accuracy. So head on back up there and give it another shot.

This cache is located on Sugarloaf Mountain in southern Frederick County Maryland. The mountain is open every day of the year during daylight hours. Be sure to allow yourself at least an hour of hiking and searching time before sunset. You definitely don't want to be hiking here after dark!

Park in the West View parking lot. There is a bulletin board of pertinent info at N39° 15.654 W77° 23.796. Please look it over to find out a little about the mountain. Gordon Strong owned it and bequeathed it to the public, so please treat it like the special gift it is.

There's also a box of maps nearby; take one in case you get lost during the search. Or you can download one at the bottom of this page: (visit link)

Some warnings:

= Be aware of where you place your hands and feet. This is the habitat of the timber rattlesnake and copperhead. (Thanks jon623!)

= Be careful not to slip on the leaf-covered rocks.

= Please hide the cache as well as it was when you found it, but not better! It should be slightly visible from 20-30' away.

When the hunt is over:
If you have a map, consider exploring the mountain. You don't have to go back along the path you came in on (the Blue trail). You can:

1) Go up the hill from the overlook on the Red trail, which takes you to the summit, with a great view of Montgomery and Freerick counties. Then you can come down the Green trail (a stone staircase!) right back to the West View parking lot.

or

2) Continue on the Blue trail to where it meets the White trail, and circle the mountain in a clockwise direction on the White trail. This will take you to the East View parking lot. Then you can walk along the road to get back to the West View. Don't try these hikes without a map, though. You could end up doing a lot more walking than you meant to!

Also, near the "traffic circle" at the entrance to the West View parking lot, there's a stone structure that was a Confederate lookout post during the Civil War. It's worth the short walk to check it out.

Explore and Have Fun!

2 Busters (and Ginger the Wonder Dog)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Decrypt this only if you're stuck.] Tb gb gur Ovyy Ynzoreg Bireybbx, gura fxveg gur rqtr bs vg, xrrcvat vg gb lbhe yrsg nf lbh tb qbjauvyy. Jura lbh'er whfg orybj gur ebpxf, ybbx sbe gjb fznyy gerrf (nobhg 5" qvnz.) gung ner pbirerq jvgu crnpu-pbyberq oenpxrg shatv. Jura lbh'er pybfr rabhtu gb gbhpu gurz, lbh'er trggvat irel jnez! Gur pnpur vf uvqqra va n ubyr va gur ebpxf. Lbh'yy unir gb zbir n srj ebpxf gb trg vg bhg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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