This cache was originally hidden for the 20+ Years of Geocaching Celebration & GeoPoker Run event and was placed with permission from Punderson State Park.
This cache is a short 3-stage multi, and at each of the first two stages, you will gather information that you will need to determine the final coordinates. Please use caution when entering and exiting the parking lot. The driveway is a single lane of grass and gravel, so you may need to wait for another car to exit before you can enter. The lot holds only four or five cars at a time, but it never seems to be very crowded.
At the posted coordinates, look for a small old metal park sign with an arrow on it. Make a note of all of the letters on the sign, disregarding spaces and other characters or symbols. Then move on to stage two at the additional waypoint (N 41° 27.926 W 081° 12.325).
Look for a NEW metal park sign at these coordinates. This time you will only need to make a note of the letters in the FIRST word on the sign. Now use the letters you collected from both signs to determine the final location of the cache.
Using the values of the specified letters on the two signs (A=1, B=2, C=3, etc.), determine the coordinates using the clues below.
Final coordinates are: N 41° 27.UVW W 081° 12.XYZ
U = Sign 1, Letter 8
V = Sign 1, Letter 7 TIMES Sign 2, Letter 8
W = Sign 1, Letter 3 MINUS Sign 1, Letter 7
X = Sign 2, Letter 8
Y = Sign 1, Letter 4 MINUS Sign 2, Letter 1
Z = Sign 2, Letter 3 PLUS Sign 2, Letter 8
The checksum of U through Z is 31.
There are four main lakes in Punderson State Park, along with some large swampy areas that resemble lakes at certain times of year. To my knowledge, there has never been a shark sighted at any of these lakes since they are freshwater, but keep your eyes open anyway, as you never know where they may pop up!
The cache is a 7.65 gallon plastic storage bin with plenty of room for larger trade items. Please be sure to close and lock it and cover it with the proper camo when you're finished.
NOTE: As of 01/15/25, the cache is now a regular size lock & lock container. This "secret" hiding area has been compromised by some recent park activities, so a large container will not last here any longer, but the size on the cache page will not change since it would affect the stats of those geocachers who have already found it. The hiding spot has also been moved a little farther back, so be prepared to push your way through some narrow bushes. Please be sure to cover the new container the way you found it so it can't be seen.
Don't forget to check the inside of the cache lid for the coordinates to the Joker Micro cache (GC9GG04)!
Punderson State Park is open to the public from 6 am to 11 pm. While caching after dark is allowed, please be sure to exit Punderson by 11 pm when the park closes.