The HeLeo Two Rivers Preserve was one of the earliest parcels acquired by the Byron Forest Preserve. However, the history goes back much farther. On the hill overlooking the Rock are two burial mounds made by the Indigenous Peoples who lived here 900-1300 years ago. The area was also a favorite picnic spot of early settlers to the Byron Area. Most recently, the forest preserve enhanced the wetland here by digging ponds that flood in the spring, which attracts all kinds of birds, frogs, beavers, and other wildlife. Maybe you will spot some! Beware some poison ivy in the vicinity if you walk past the cache.
This cache is part of the "My Favorite Places" series, and counts toward earning a new Byron Forest Preserve Fox Snake geocoin. Find 15 caches with a Difficulty and Terrain rating of 2 or lower in this series to earn a geocoin. Take note of the code word on each log book, and visit the Jarrett Prairie Center during open hours (M-F 8 am-4:30 pm; Sat 9-4; Sun 12-4). Coins are at the front desk and staff will be happy to get them for you. If you aren't caching during open hours or log later and live farther away, please message me and I will mail you a geocoin. All caches in this series are geared toward beginners and families. Trails are well maintained and caches are available year-round, and are placed at the Jarrett Prairie Preserve, Barrick Oaks Homestead Preserve, HeLeo Two Rivers Preserve, and Bald Hill Prairie Preserve.
Caches in this series:
At the Jarrett Prairie Preserve (main site):
GCB80TV Skyview
GCB80XG Old Trail, New Trail
GCB80WQ Sunflowers and a Sinkhole
GCB80WW Hen of the Woods
GCB80XA Down Low, Up High
GCB80V8 Gulley Overlook
GCB80VT End of the Road
GCB848B Remnants of Days Gone By
GCB76DQ Fossil and Rock Exchange
GCB80W2 Greater Prairie Chicken
GCB80WA Garden Walk
GCB82AT Monkey See, Monkey Do Travel Bug Hotel
GCB8497 Clyde James Prairie
At the HeLeo Two Rivers Preserve:
GCB82DQ Duck, Duck, Goose
GCB847X Out of Bounds
At the Bald Hill Prairie Preserve:
GCB84B5 The Easy Way or the Hard Way
GCB84BR Milkweed
At Barrick Oaks Homestead Preserve:
GCB84C2 BFPDBOHPPnG
GCB84CJ Baby Cedar
Coming soon! The forest preserve is also putting out a series to earn an Environmental Education Association of Illinois geocoin. Find 8 caches in the EEAI series that have a D or T rating of 2.5 or higher to earn the EEAI geocoin.