At the conclusion of the fifth year of 12 Things of Christmas Series (12 ToC, Year 5), this is an additional gate cache to harken back to the first series from 2017, still available for finding, the 12 GoC ("Gates of Christmas"). This cache might be a park and grab or a hike up a gravel SGL road, based on the time of year (the outer gate closes at the end of January) and the capabilities of your vehicle. Please take careful note of the parking information in the listing below.
Once upon a time, a geocaching log was written that said: "TFTC. Every sgl gate should have one. :)" I could not agree more. It sounded like a good idea for a possible series. This is a Day Twelve additional gate cache for anyone going to find the 2021-22 12 SoC Day 12 cache (GC9KPCJ).
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, mrGreen317 hid for me, an additional gate cache on the way to an SGL evergreen tree...
Happy New Year, 2022! By now most retailers have all but packed away any remnant of Christmas wares from 2021, however, the traditional Christmas season actually runs from December 25 through January 5, the "Twelve Days of Christmas". At the end of the "Twelve Songs of Christmas" (12 SoC), grab this additional gate cache this Christmas season or any other time of the year when geocaching is on the day's agenda.
This geocache is a plastic screw-top red-tinted seasonal container hidden behind a rock to the left of the SGL gate. The log slip is inside the large blue bison inside the cache container. Please make note of some additional cache details in the listing below, including parking notes.
This cache log is in a blue bison container inside the larger red-tinted screw-top cache container, so please bring a pen or pencil along to sign the log. The log slip is "Rite in the Rain" paper, so it should resist getting wet, however, a pencil will work best if the slip is wet when you go to sign it. If the slip is dry, a standard ball point pen will do fine. Water-based inks may not write on the paper very well and should be avoided if possible.
PARKING WAYPOINTS: Three parking waypoints are provided. Use the upper parking if your vehicle can handle the steep climb up the gravel road in current weather conditions. Be aware if driving up the gravel road there is an outer gate across the road on the hill going up without an easy way to turn around if the outer gate is closed (see outer gate waypoint). Usually this outer gate closes at the end of January. Parking is possible off of PA-53 at the bottom of the gravel SGL road, along the edge of flat part of the SGL road. Please park in such a way as not to block the SGL road with your vehicle. A third waypoint just south on PA-53 is also provided if needed, but please use care when hiking along PA-53 the short distance from this pull-off to the SGL road. Terrain rating for this cache is set as if hiking up the gravel road from PA-53 is required.
This cache is located in state game lands, so PLEASE observe all state game land rules and wear orange during hunting seasons. During the primary hunting season, finding this cache is recommended on Sunday only.
This cache should be pretty easy to get to at all times of the year (although the ground hide might make it trickier in the snow). Note that in the growing seasons of late spring, summer, and early fall, there might be some thorns in and around GZ, so use some care when accessing the cache area.
Warmer weather could mean ticks are present, so please be watchful. Ticks pose a potential health risk, so please be sure to check that any ticks are removed from one's person after seeking the geocache.
A congratulations on FTF goes to ted28285 and r.e.s.t.seekers . Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Many thanks to our local Community Reviewer, Keystone, for this year and four previous years of caches published each day of the 12 Days of Christmas. JAGA-land thanks you for the seasonal fun! Many thanks also to all the cachers who come out after the various 12 ToC caches in and around the Glendale Valley. Here's to you, and hopefully more seasons of 12 ToC hunts in the years ahead!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the 3 "E"s!
(mrGreen317, Sage-Hippo, and littleEEE)