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 will take you on a nice hike along the southern section of the Cayuga Trail. Be sure to take the southern trailhead or you may be in for a much longer hike. This is a letterbox hybrid, so there will be a stamp and inkpad in the cache container.
Please do not remove them!
The actual cache container IS hidden at the posted coordinates, but to make this a little more fun, I have also provided letterbox clues so that you may hunt for this cache as a true letterbox if desired. Although it is not required, I would appreciate a note in your find log telling me whether you found the cache with your GPSr or using the letterbox clues, or maybe a little of both.
This cache is dedicated to the memory of my mom, Nancy, who passed away unexpectedly in April of 2021. She was a big fan of the Peanuts comic strip and all of the animated features. Snoopy was always her favorite character and I think of her whenever I see him in his World War I flying ace outfit, riding in his trusty Sopwith Camel and cursing the Red Baron.
If you have done letterboxing before, be sure to bring your stamp and book along. The letterbox clues are below, and don't forget to check the inside of the cache lid for the coordinates to the Joker Micro cache (GC9GG1W)!
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.
Letterbox Clues
For the purposes of these instructions, consider a “pace” to be a single step with either foot, while walking in a brisk manner. This distance can vary for each person depending on their size and gait, but a single pace should be roughly 2.5 feet.
The hike to this cache will take place almost entirely on the Cayuga Trail, so these letterbox clues will provide you with some landmarks to look for as you move forward along the trail. If you can find all of the landmarks, you should be able to find the cache without using any type of GPS receiver.
Begin at the trailhead near the Gazebo parking area, with the large pine tree on your left and the gazebo garden on your right. Walk down the trail and continue going forward as you pass the entrance to the Huron trail on your right. As you come down the small incline, you will see an open area where the trail splits.
Continue forward, taking the first trail that bears to the left (do not go forward a short distance and then turn left) and follow it until it ends at a cross trail. On the right you will see a wooden sign that says “CAYUGA TRAIL”. Turn right and follow the trail a very short distance until you come to a 4-way trail intersection. You will see a metal sign on your right with an arrow that points forward to the "CAYUGA TR".
Continue forward onto the Cayuga Trail and follow it as it goes up a slight incline and then back down again. As you continue forward and turn slightly to the left, you will pass over a small culvert where you can normally see water (or ice, depending on the season) in the trench on your left. Shortly after you pass the culvert, you will come to a steeper incline as the trail curves back toward the right.
Continue on the trail as it takes you up the small hill. When the trail becomes fairly level again, you should be able to see the Punderson Golf Course on your left. Be aware that golf balls can occasionally land along the trail from errant shots. As you continue to follow the trail, there will be a slight, but obvious curve to the right. Shortly after that, the trail will curve back to the left. Once you have turned back to the left, you will need to look for some objects that mark your location.
On your right you should see five large beech trees that are spread out through the woods over a distance of 60 to 70 feet. Two of them are very close to the trail, and the others are farther back into the woods. After you pass this group of beech trees, the trail will zigzag very slightly for a short distance, and then you should see the Cayuga Trail marker on your right. It is a white PVC pipe with a black top that originally was marked as “CA” on top and “1” underneath. The letters may wear off a bit over time.
If you line yourself up with that marker and then take 65 paces, you should find a large beech tree on your left. The trail turns slightly right at that point, so take the slight turn and walk forward for a short distance until you see two large trees on your left. They are set back off the trail about 5 and 10 feet, and there is also a medium size tree nearby that is very close to the edge of the trail. Just ahead you should see a small white PVC pipe across the trail that acts as a culvert.
Continue walking for about 40 to 50 feet and you will see a large beech tree on your right with a hollow base. No, the cache is not in there, but you’re getting close. Starting at the beech tree on your right, take 20 paces along the trail as it zigzags very slightly. When you come to a stop, turn right (to the north) and face the woods, then walk forward as you look for a large beech tree about 100 feet off the trail.
You will probably need to step over a long log, walk past an uprooted tree, and maybe step over a decaying log before you reach the tree. It should be easy to recognize since it is the largest one in the area and it is leaning very slightly. Walk over to the tree and go around the back side. There you will find the hidden container in the roots.
Good luck!