Welcome to the Lumber Heritage Region GeoTour 蝹
Full of history and natural beauty, Pennsylvania’s Lumber Heritage Region spans 4.2 million acres across 15 counties. From sweeping forests and rolling hills to vibrant communities shaped by the lumber industry, come explore what makes North-Central Pennsylvania so special! This officially registered GeoTour highlights our favorite locations, from parks and forests to museums and monuments. Find 20 of the 23 caches to earn a limited-edition GeoTour coin, or find all 23 to unlock a unique souvenir added to your Geocaching profile.
For information regarding the GeoTour and a full list of caches, please visit our website.
LHR-GT #18: Punxsutawney Phil
Celebrated each year on February 2, Groundhog Day centers on Punxsutawney Phil’s appearance at Gobbler’s Knob, where the famous groundhog delivers a weather prediction rooted in centuries-old folklore tied to Candlemas traditions. Overseen by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle, formed in the 1880s and known for their formal attire, the event blends ritual, history, and spectacle as Phil emerges at dawn to signal either six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Beyond the annual ceremony, Phil serves as a year-round cultural ambassador, with traditions and stories that have made Groundhog Day an enduring symbol of seasonal change and small-town heritage recognized around the world. Click here to learn more
TO FIND THIS CACHE, you'll first need to visit Gobbler's Knob, the legendary home of Punxsutawney Phil. At the posted coordinates, you'll find the Lumber Heritage Region signpost for this location. Once here, look ahead, and you'll find a brick-laid stage where Phil seeks his shadow each year, but hidden among the bricks is a secret. At the time of publication, the brick found at stage two won't be able to be installed until the middle of July 2026. Instead, search for a temporary yard sign located near the steps on the right side of the stage. Search closely, and you may just spy a brick that will lead you to the final Geocache location. You are searching for a regular-sized container just a short walk down a nearby hiking trail. Please replace everything exactly as you found it.
It should go without saying, but this cache is not accessible on February 2. If there's been significant snowfall, locating the clue at stage 2 might be challenging.
This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the Heritage Areas Program, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.