Official Stuff
This cache is located in Sandy Creek Park. As of 5/1/21, there is current a $2/person fee to enter the park. Please obey posted park hours (They vary by season and are available online or posted at the gate). DO NOT HUNT OUTSIDE OF POSTED HOURS. Additionally, please make sure we follow all park rules, including:
- Please respect the property and Leave No Trace.
- Park only in designated areas. Do NOT park on the sides of roads or in non-designated parking.
- Please do not park on the dam.
- Please do not enter the water at the dam.
- Please don’t climb on the rocks at the bottom of the dam or enter dangerous areas.
- Please do not dig in the park as no caches are buried.
- Please respect the property and Leave No Trace (Yes-- we said this twice).
Thank you for being respectful of this beautiful park!
The Series
Do you love mystery caches? Do you love D/T (Difficulty/Terrain) ratings? if so, we have a GREAT series for you!!!
The Jackson County Agritourism Geo-Trail 81 series (JCAT-81) has been placed for YOU! We do have to fess up that the series isn’t actually in Jackson County, but it’s a stone’s throw away and an awesome set of caches. If you complete all 81, you will have completed an entire D/T grid. Total fizzy awesomeness!
The majority of the caches are hidden in Sandy Creek Park. There is an entrance fee of $2 per person to enter. Current park hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, closed on Mondays. (Note: Hours can change-- please check with the park before making your trip plans)
The caches are hidden in a variety of containers and styles. The puzzles will help build your puzzle-solving skills. Be on the lookout for some JCAT-81 Puzzle-Solving events where we will help you solve some of the tougher ones.
This series is a collaborative effort of “The Puzzle Posse”! The Puzzle Posse consists of Bragger407, GeoMonkeyTiger!, LaFavorite Cacher, and poeanne.
This Cache
This cache is rated a 3.5/3.5. The puzzle here is straightforward, though it may be challenging for some. The physical hide is a regular-sized lock and lock, though, it is on the small side for a regular. It will take a bit of a hike to get to GZ. Be sure to bring water, bug spray, and possibly a snack! Note that you may see some fences marking private property. Please respect the fence lines as the cache is on the park side of the fences...
This Puzzle
(This puzzle brought to you by GeoMonkeyTiger!)
The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates.
I was talking with Farmer MacDonald late one night, and he had the most interesting story to tell.
Farmer MacDonald (FM): I remember this crazy night. Wow. It's been a while! 15 years or so. It was in 2007. A local farmer's cow had escaped its pen and made its way over near here. The farmer was able to find the lost cow, but he also found something very special- it was a geocache!
Me: Really? A geocache??
FM: Oh yes!! A really fun one too!
Me: Did he tell you the coordinates?
FM: He was using a discount GPS system. It didn't tell him the coordinates, but he knew that the cow had wandered 3,004.1921 feet on a bearing of 310.704 degrees from the barn where he lived.
Me: Oh! So, that sounds easy! We just need to figure out where the farm was!
FM: Well, not so easy. You see, over the last 15 years, things have changed. The farmer has moved away and we can't find him to get the exact address!
Me: Do we have anything?
FM: The farmer was experimenting with using satellites to track his cow. He did send me one picture, taken 15 years ago that shows his barns. Here's a copy of the picture:
FM: He told me the measurements he took were from the cow enclosure. It was the Northernmost of the three buildings and the door was on the west side.
Me: So, if I can figure out where this was, I can find the cache?
FM: Yes! Just figure out where this was and you can do the projection!
Me: Sweet!! Anything else I should know?
FM: The spot isn't far from Sandy Creek Park. Less than 2 miles.
Me: I think I can crack this!!
Solution Checker
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