The beavers leave and return here periodically. But there were none in the immediate vicinity when this cache was released. Evidence of their amazing engineering skill and sharp teeth is everywhere. The trail travels right across their helpful engineering. There were Mallard Duck couples nesting here, both just above and just below the beaver dam when this cache was released, obviously please leave them quietly to it. Great Blue Herons are here too. There was a beaver family living just upstream of this beaver dam in 2022; they would come and visit you at dusk. They warned each other and you with tail slaps if you got too close to the water. There is a second abandoned lodge a short ways downstream of ground zero where dusk activity was also very common when they lived here. And if you go downstream 390' there’s a significant 4' tall beaver dam still in place right along the flooded road. They will be back some day; but for now, enjoy the many ways that beavers modify the landscape and create enduring structures.
BTW the cache container is not anywhere near the small 10’ by 10’ midstream island which lies just downstream of the center of the beaver dam, stay dry instead, really. Once in 30 years we found that ground-nesting bees took up residence out on the island during mid-summer - didn't work out well for either us or our four-footed best friend who stirred them up. "Attempt no landing there"
Closest parking is the Mountain Rd cul-de-sac at N 41° 43.814 W 72° 30.235
These woods are lovely, dark and deep. There is an abundance of wildlife in the area. It’s quite common to encounter beaver, bobcats, coyotes in packs of three or four, deer, fishers, red, grey and yellow foxes, four varieties of owls, snapping turtles, timber rattlesnakes, various water snakes, weasels and the very rare occasional wandering mother bear with cubs. We hike here with bear spray when the blueberries are in season. Exercise caution and please remember that you're in their home.
This cache is part of the Buckingham Reservoir series of caches; search for BuckResv. The cache locations are all on or very near well-worn trails. Consult the many informal trails on the main geocaching.com map to minimize bushwhacking. It is possible to visit all caches in the series via a 9-mile loop, but some caches are tricky and will extend your day. Probably too many for one day.
Stream Crossing Suggestions:
All locations in the series can be reached without crossing any streams. But traversing from one cache to another may bring a desire to cross streams instead of going around. Below are suggestions for possible stream crossings.
1. The northern inlet brook can be crossed on a walkable old beaver dam at N 41° 43.566 W 072° 29.647 or a culvert at N 41° 43.712 W 072° 29.633.
2. The northeastern inlet brook, which is actually Roaring Brook, can be crossed on a dirt road where it enters the reservoir at N 41° 43.496 W 072° 29.643 or on a bridge at BuckResv - Beaver Highway (GCB5MDX) N 41° 43.567 W 072° 29.192.
3. The outlet brook, the now larger Roaring Brook just below the reservoir, is nigh impossible to cross without wading, especially in the springtime, except for the excellent wooden bridge at BuckResv - Tranquility (GCB5EK1) N 41° 42.906 W 72° 30.335. We encourage finding a way around instead of crossing just below the reservoir.
Parking:
1. N 41° 43.814 W 72° 30.235 - Mountain Rd cul-de-sac, room for about eight cars. Best for west side of reservoir and northern caches. Southern and far eastern caches are a bit far.
2. N 41° 42.703 W 072° 29.899 - Coop Rd parking lot, room for about 15 cars, often busy. Best for east side of reservoir and southern caches. Northern and far eastern caches are a bit far.
3. N 41° 42.979 W 072° 28.091 – Birch Mountain Rd, side-of-road parking, nearby to power right-of-way gate. Best for far eastern caches, a little far from east side of reservoir and northern caches.
Although tempting from the map for the southern caches, local knowledge indicates that parking on the western end of Old Hebron Ave is strongly forbidden, lots of no trespassing signs about private property, getting shot. Also, parking directly on Hebron Ave Route 94 near the closed-off eastern end of Old Hebron Ave would be incredibly dangerous - no shoulder, guardrails instead, most cars do 60 here and you or your car are going to get creamed. Far better and safer to park at Coop Rd as above and take the short delightful forest trail walk to the southern caches.