Welcome to Sequoia Skyline!
This 6-stage adventure will lead you through the redwood forests of Oakland and offer a slice of Bay Area history. Remember that tall trees can interefere with electronic devices, so pre-load the cache data just in case.
The posted coordinates will bring you to the lower parking lot of Robert's Park. This is where you will start and finish your journey.
This cache involves moderate hiking with only slight elevation changes in open spaces and along well defined paths...until you reach the final stage. After solving this puzzle, you will need to hike off trail and down slope to find a cache that is large enough for trade items and trackables. There is a clear trail departure point through open forest. No bushwacking or poison oak to avoid.
Important: Your GPS will not be accurate under the tall trees while attempting to locate the final. Use the posted photo for guidance before leaving the trail.
Let's get started! Good times ahead!
Navigate to each stage using the waypoints.
Solve to find the following:
N 37° 48.ABC' W 122° 10.DEF'
Stage 1 - Blossom Rock: Wander to the large stone monument that lives in the belly of this redwood grove. Enjoy reading about the signficance of these trees on the mounted plaque.
A = Multiply the three digits of the landmark number, divide by 12, subtract 1
Stage 2 - South Oakland Overlook: Exit the redwood forest and walk to the softball field below. Find the south-west facing bench and appreicate the long life you have lived while looking forward to the years of exploration ahead.
B = Add the eight numbers of the years together, divide by 7, subtract 5
Stage 3 - Mt Diablo Overlook: Walk across the field and up the Manzanita trail, east to the "vista point". Find the navigational monument embedded in concrete that is nearest to the bench.
C = Add the four numbers of the year together, subtract 1, divide by 8
Stage 4 - Upper lawn: Go out the way you came, but veer right at the collection of tables. Walk through the picnic area and down the narrow passage until you reach the trail intersection below. Continue up the paved trail to the open lawn area above. Find the telephone pole with a vertical yellow tag.
D = Add the digits together, subtract 1, divide by 10
Stage 5 - Robert's Monument: Walk the paved path around and past the playground, eventually heading down and landing at the pool entrance below. Find the large stone monument just beyond the kiosk and enjoy learning about the park's namesake.
E = Add the individual numerical digits, subtract 4, divide by 5
Stage 6 - Graham Trail Crossroads: Turn and head up the paved driveway past the pool to the park resident's house. Find the Graham Trail sign just ahead, stay right, and veer down towards the park maintenance facility. Pick up the trail and walk north-east to the crossroads.
F = Total number of letters on all three sides of post, divide by 3, subtract 3.
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NICELY DONE, YOU HAVE REACHED THE FINAL STAGE!
We urge you to explore freely and do your best to find this cache without the hint. That said, if you need a nudge, the hint will get you there.
After enjoying your time at GZ, return to the main trail and continue south. A short walk will complete the loop and take you back to the parking lot where you started.
Cheers Bay Area!