This is the third geocache placed by the Lancaster Conservancy in this general area on the ridge of Ferncliff Wildlife and Wildflower Preserve overlooking the Susquehanna River and Mount Johnson Island. It is probably the same ammo can. Previous hides were GC18A2 from 08/24/2001 - 02/17/2009 and GC1MNEW from 02/17/2009 - 02/06/2019. Please stay on the trails and do not trample the wildflowers. Keep dogs on leash. Pack out all waste. Hiking is the only access to this area. It is about a 2.5 mile round-trip hike. The part after the stream crossing is steep but on a trail.
Ferncliff was recognized in 1972 as one of 602 National Natural Landmarks because it is an excellent example of old growth forest including red oak (300-year-old tree), tulip trees, chestnut oak, white oak, ironwood, redbuds, and pawpaws. In 2017, it became a Dedicated Forest in the Old Growth Forest Network. The ravine has rhododendron, hemlocks, mountain laurel, and abundant wildflowers including Virginia bluebells, round-leaved stemless violet, putty root, cohosh, and crane-fly orchids. There are also several varieties of ferns.
Mount Johnson Island was the first area in the world set aside as a bald eagle sanctuary in 1936. But with all the trees at Ferncliff, seeing the island from the ridge is difficult except in winter. Bald eagles are now more abundant and nest throughout this area along the river. You may see them soaring overhead.
Henry Huffnagle, a Lancaster urologist, spent his summers at Ferncliff while he was growing up. Benton Hollow (what is now Ferncliff) was purchased by Huffnagle’s father in 1938 to protect it as a wildlife sancturary. It may have been Lancaster County's first such sanctuary. His father used the 75-acre property to teach young Henry all of the common and Latin names of the plants, flowers, and trees found there. This made a huge impact on Huffnagle's life and fostered his appreciation of wild places, particularly the Susquehanna River hills. When his father died, Huffnagle wanted to preserve the property and decided to donate it to the Lancaster Conservancy. "It is a pleasure to know someone is taking care of this land," Huffnagle said. "There are great educational benefits to be found on the property, and I want the youth to be able to go there and enjoy it like I did."
Please park only in the provided parking areas and do not block the gate on Bald Eagle Road. Hiking is the only access to this area.
To get to the geocache, follow the easy flat blue trail along Barnes Run. At the provided waypoint for the stream crossing, there is a sign noting that the blue trail ends and pointing to the white-blazed trail north to the Winter Overlook. Find a way across the stream to the white-blazed trail. Follow the white blazed trail up a steep ravine and to the top of the riverside ridge. There is a waypoint for the top. The trail south along the ridge is not distinct or well-blazed. The ammo can is in the river end of a large fallen log.
Ferncliff Trail Map: here
NOTE: The Lancaster Conservancy does not allow the public to hide geocaches on lands it protects.