This cache was the result of trying to find a long lost benchmark. Specifically, designation KX2262, known as Foot Of Plane Eight. According to the datasheet provided by the National Geodetic Survey, this was to have been placed in approximately 1900. Exceptionally old, as most benchmarks are dated from the 1960's and a few from the 1940's, which is why I was interested in finding it. This particular benchmark is shown on USGS quadrangles from the 1900's time period. Also worth noting is the datasheet information provided which says:
DESCRIBED BY US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 1900
SITUATED ABOUT 8.0 MI S. OF W. FROM HOLIDAYSBURG, ON N. END OF WOODED MOUNTAIN LOCALLY KNOWN AS -FOOT OF 8-.
OUTLOOK TO W. IS NOT GOOD.
STATION MARK, A STANDARD TRIANGULATION DISK SET IN FOOT OF SIGNAL TREE.
Read that last line again..... so, what is a "Signal Tree"? Intriqued by this, I did some quick Google research and came to discover some interesting facts about these. Bordering on folklore.....(from Wikipedia):
Large trees that exhibit deformed growth and distinctive forms bent in a vertical plane are sometimes labeled trail trees, marker trees, thong trees, or signal trees by enthusiasts. Historically, these unique trees were commonly known as Indian trail trees. Proponents of trail tree lore claim these unique forms are culturally modified trees used to mark trails or important places. Distinctively bent trees have long been noted throughout the Temperate Deciduous Forest of eastern North America. The extent to which indigenous peoples used such trees as navigational aids, and whether such trees were formed by anthropogenic or natural means is controversial.
These distinctively shaped trees have been photographed and documented in the Great Lakes Region by scientists and historians since the early 1800s.
Ok, armed with what to look for, I set out to try and find KX2262. When I got to ground zero, the first thing I noticed were a lot of downed trees. I spent some time poking around, hoping to see the special type of tree described above. No luck. I did, however, find something else at the supposed location of KX2262. I included it as a waypoint.
On the way, though, to the coordinates of KX2262, something stood out that was unmistakable. The posted coordinates will take you to what appears to be a signal tree, but it's not near KX2262. It IS, however, at the end of an old tram road that was plotted on earlier USGS quadrangles.
Could this be the location of long lost KX2262? Is this really a signal tree? If so, what does it represent? Are there any fellow geocachers that are well versed in history of this region? Did Indians do this? (If anyone has a metal detector handy, it would be interesting to see if it picks up anything near this tree. I didn't have one to bring.)
Or is all of this just a really big coincidence?
I thought it would be fun to make this a bit more challenging. The posted coordinates will take you to this mysterious tree. From there, and using your GPS compass, the cache is at azimuth 286.6 degrees and about 147 feet away.
Please re-hide as found.
A word on getting here: Please be prepared for a hike. If approaching from the old railroad bed, you will encounter extremely steep terrain. I placed this cache approaching from the west, parking at the terminus of Lilly Road, near the power lines. The walk to the cache from this location is roughly a mile one way. As a previous cacher noted, there IS a trail that follows the State Game Lands boundary. Locate the white blaze marks to your right from the powerline when heading north west. The trail is somewhat overgrown, but passable and will avoid the impossible bushwacking through the rhododendron that occupies most of this mountain top.
This is a traditional hide, using a 0.50 ammo can. And it's full of swag for the kids!