I placed a long multi-cache in this park (GC94X7Z), and it doesn't see many visitors. (5 logs in the first 16 months.) So, maybe you're wondering why I'm putting out another one in the same park. Well, I'm not. I'm actually putting out 2 new long multis in this park!!!
Welcome to the "There and Back Again" adventure in Round Hill Park.
The southeast part of Round Hill Park is almost completely undeveloped. But there are some trails, meadows, old farm roads, and ATV tracks. (ATVs are not permitted in the park now.) When I found a big loop of these trails, I knew they needed some caches. Having learned my lesson from the other multi, I decided to do this adventure differently. The final for this multi (GC9W42X There ...) is located near the start of the second multi (GC9W43H ... and Back Again) which, well, brings you back to the start. And along the way for both multicaches, I am placing several traditional caches to add to the fun. If you follow the recommended trails for the multis, you will pass each of the traditionals.
When I scouted this area, I used a parking lot that was close to the trailhead. When I returned a week later, that lot was decorated with fresh "No Parking" signs, so I had to move the starting point. There were proximity issues there, so you will have to solve this fiendishly difficult puzzle to get the real starting coordinates. At the posted coords is a sign describing what type of garden this is. Enter the single word into the checker for the new coords.
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.
On my second trip, I also found some trees blown down onto the trails. They are passable with some gymnastics. My GPSr acted up from time to time under all the trees - I tried to make the hints more explicit because of this.
Round Hill Park is open from 8 AM to sunset. Parking is available very close to the starting icon. This portion of the park is little-used, and there are no amenities. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended, and you should take plenty of water. Some of the way is out in the open sun. Some of the way is in buggy bottomlands which might get muddy after rain. There is a lot of uphill and downhill walking, and some areas where phone service is zero. The Allegheny Parks app does not have all these trails, but they are visible on some iterations of Google Maps. The round trip is about 6.5 miles. This cache would be a great one for going in a group.
You will pass through some mature forest communites, but also some sensitive areas, so please stay on the trails to avoid damage.
As always, cache safely and have fun.