GC9288 Mt. Tom Summit House Cache (Traditional Cache) in Massachusetts, United States created by BletchleyPark

This cache has been archived.

The Seanachai: Greetings from Geocaching.com,

While we feel that Geocaching.com should hold the location for you for a reasonable amount of time, we cannot do so indefinitely. In light of the lack of communication regarding this cache it has been archived to free up the area for new placements. If you haven’t done so already, please pick up this cache or any remaining bits as soon as possible. If you are in the process of replacing or repairing your cache please e-mail me in response to this archival and, if possible, I will unarchive your cache.

I want to thank you for the time that you have taken to contribute in the past and I am looking forward to your continued contributions to the sport of Geocaching.

The Seanachai
Geocaching.com Volunteer Cache Reviewer

GC9288 ▼

A cache by BletchleyPark Message this owner

Hidden : 9/23/2002

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The Mt. Tom Summit House Cache is located on the top of Mt. Tom at the southern end of the Mt. Tom Range at an elevation of 1160 feet. This was the site of three different Summit Houses built between 1897 and 1929 and a unique cable car railway to transport guests to the summit. This cache contains nifty trinkets and an historical account of the Summit Houses and the other nearby treasures!

The Mt. Tom Summit House Cache could be considered an historical cache, providing a history of the ruins on the top of Mt. Tom. Once the ammo box cache has been found, the geocacher is invited to read the brief historical information and peruse the many historical and contemporary photos of the area. GPSr coordinates are given for 10 major items of interest on or near the summit and are printed on “Site Visit Cards” that can be taken by the geocacher to aid in the site’s exploration.

Of note on the summit is the original foundation of the Summit House that now forms the eastern and southern walls of the TV/radio transmitter building. One can also explore the remains of the upper drive pulley frame for the cable car railway (N42°14.554’ W072°38.876’) and the foundation of the Rustic Lunch Pavilion (N42°14.462’ W072°38.881').

The views from the summit are spectacular; make sure you visit on a clear day. Having extensively hiked the M-M Trail on both the Mt. Tom and Mt. Holyoke Ranges, I find no other vantage point that offers such unrestricted views.

There are three preferred ways to approach the summit of Mt. Tom. Each has a separate terrain difficulty rating and distance from parking areas. Approaches are listed in increasing levels of “exertion”, not in elapsed time. Please note that the above terrain difficulty is based on Approach 2.

Approach 1 – Old Railway Bed

Trailhead: N42°14.927 W072°37.998'
Terrain Difficulty: 2.0
Distance: 1 mile (see note below)
Elevation Gain: 712 ft
Average Grade: 21%
Surface: Paved road, uneven

*** NOTE *** The gate for access to the road that runs to Railway Bed trailhead seems to now be closed. Therefore, you will need to trek from the gate to the trailhead, an additional distance of about 1/2 mile by road or about 1/3 mile through the old Mountain Park grounds. ******

Approach 2 – M-M Trail From The North

Trailhead: N42°16.038’ W072°38.119’
Terrain Difficulty: 2.5 +
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 633 ft
Average Grade: 10-16%
Surface: Hard dirt/rock trail

Approach 3 – M-M Trail From The South

Trailhead: N42°14.030’ W072°38.996’
Terrain Difficulty: 3.0 +
Distance: 0.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 604 ft
Surface:
- Mile 0 to 0.3 = Hard dirt/rock trail
Average Grade: 6%
- Mile 0.3 to 0.6 = Very loose rock/dirt trail
Average Grade: 32%

In the above, I have given some additional information regarding the approaches to help you determine which is best for your geocaching party. All three approaches require some steep hiking over varying surfaces and one offers a geocaching “bonus”.

If your party includes smaller children, you may wish to consider Approach 1 or 2. Also, it should be noted that almost all of Approach 1 is on a paved (albeit uneven) surface. Providing you are up for a great physical challenge, Approach 1 *may* allow you to push a disabled companion to the summit to enjoy the spectacular views!

Approach 2 is a wonderful hike from the Mt. Tom Park Headquarters to the Mt. Tom summit. Most of the trail runs along the top of the mountain's western cliffs, providing thrilling views and plenty of places to stop for a rest. Fall is migration season and this route offers the best chance to observe hawks, turkey vultures and the occasional eagle riding the updrafts along the ridge.

Approach 3 is the shortest route to the summit using the M-M Trail; it is also the most difficult. If you are in good shape and are up for a good “blood-pumper” this route is for you. Note that the first half is easy but the second half is steep and requires a sure foot.

Please leave the histories/pictures in the cache for the next visitor. If you would like a copy of these materials, please contact me and I will arrange to have copies sent to you. You are encouraged to take one of the Site Visit Cards located in the Log Book bag to help you find interesting sites on the summit.

Also, if you have any additional information about the Mt. Tom Summit Houses (or know someone who does) please contact me so that I might include the additional information. I am particularly interested in scanning old family photos showing their visits to the summit.

I should mention that for those geocachers who also do benchmark hunting, you have the opportunity of logging at least three benchmarks. Two are a piece of cake but one will require some detective work!

Cheers!

BP

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

gur nzzb obk vf arfgyrq va n ebpx bhgpebccvat ng gur gbc bs n pyvss ybpngrq nccebkvzngryl rvtugl-gjb srrg sebz gur pbbeqvangrf sbe gur ehfgvp cnivyvba ba n ornevat bs avargl rvtug qrterrf gehr abegu

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)

This cache has been archived.

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Mt. Tom Summit House Cache Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

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Geocache Description:

Attributes

Inventory

Bookmark Lists

Treasures