This is my 175th hide. The cache is NOT at the listed coordinates. This is a night cache. Start at the parking coordinates/trailhead and proceed along the trail toward the posted coordinates. Use a flashlight to follow the reflectors throughout the park until you get to the geocache. Bring a friend. Read the full description for more hints and suggestions. Allow 45 to 60 minutes to complete the adventure - and beware of the Headless Horseman.
This is my 175th hide as I near 24,500 finds, hence the cache name of "175x140." This is a reworked version of my "100x100" night cache, so I kept the same naming convention. I also used over 140 trail markers, so there's that.
This is a night cache in the Harry S. Moss Park Native Area. The cache is not at the posted coordinates, but that is where you will begin. Use a strong flashlight to follow the trail of reflectors to find the geocache. (I also found that a headlamp using red lights is a good complement, as some reflectors respond better to the red light.)
If you see a single reflector, proceed toward that spot while looking for the next reflector. If you see two reflectors, they indicate a direction to take at a trail intersection (make a turn or proceed straight). When you approach the final, you will see two reflectors indicating a turn, but no trail intersection. Turn off the path and look for two more reflectors. From that spot, you should be able to see reflectors near the cache. The cache is less than 50 feet off of the path.
Beware of slippery mud, stumps and other fall hazards. Parts of the trail remain under a foot of water for several weeks after a heavy rain. In this case, you will need rubber boots if you don't want wet feet.
This cache should take 45-60 minutes to complete and you will be walking about 1.2 miles. (Shorter and simpler than the previous cache.)
Also, beware of the Headless Horseman that haunts these trails and the coyotes that roam the area - I heard them very distinctly from the trailhead one of the nights I was out here. Cue spooky music. (Actually, I've been out here dozens of times by myself after dark and have never encountered anything bigger than a rabbit or armadillo)
Helpful Hints:
Bring a friend for safety and for fun. Two flashlights are better than one.
Use a bright flashlight. For best results, hold the flashlight at eye level. Sweep the beam slightly from side to side and up and down as you proceed down the trail.
In some areas, especially where the brush is thick and/or the trail is obvious, you may go 100 feet or more without seeing a marker. Keep going. I have tried to clearly signal the direction you should take at the many trail crossings. In some of the wide open places I have had to place the markers a considerable distance off of the trail. You'll have to look carefully, but keep following the trail!
Please note that I have used different types of trail markers at varying heights. Some markers are brighter than others.
Double reflectors:
If you see two markers with one above the other, proceed straight ahead at the next trail crossing.
If you see two markers side by side (or one slightly higher than the other), turn at the next trail intersection. In general, veer in the direction of the higher tack.
If you see two markers and no trail intersection, look around off the path for two more markers directing you to the cache.
Exit path. After you find the geocache (yay!), backtrack to the trail and proceed in the direction you were headed before you took that turn off the path. Continue for 100 feet or more. There will be very few tacks along the path, but there will be double reflectors to mark the turns as you approach the trail intersections. In general, keep moving toward the starting point.
Dallas Parks "close" from midnight to 5 a.m. by city ordinance.
This is my second night cache hide; I welcome constructive criticism.
The regular size container contains a couple of trade items in a bag marked "TRADE" and a few trinkets in a bag marked "FREE." Feel free to take the free stuff without trade.
Bring your own pen in case the one in the cache isn't working. You must sign the log to claim a find.