The Whiskey Jack's Nest Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The parking co-ordinates for this cache are N 43 56.897 W 078 37.317. There is a small parking lot there, but in the winter the conservation authority puts a log across the entrance to prevent snowmobiles from disturbing the area - so you can just park on the side of the road.
The geocache is 740 m from the parking lot. To start your hike, walk over to the creek and follow the scenic, and often forgotten, creek-side trail towards the cache. There is an obvious forest trail starting at the parking lot, but both trails meet up later on anyway. It is impossible to get lost here. All trails end up in the same spot eventually. My suggestion is to always stay close to the creek for the most aesthetically pleasing walk. Bring your dog if you like!
UPDATE:Sept 2/06 - Container replaced
The cache is now a camo'd plastic jar. It is a good size so bring tradables. This conservation area is not as well known among hikers, and in turn, is very quiet and full of life! In the winter you can see animal tracks from many different forest species. In the spring, the sounds of birds such as the chickadee and robin fill the air. The summer showcases hundreds of different wildflowers from Touch-Me-Nots to Jack-in-the-Pulpits. And in the autumn, the creek is packed full of spawning salmon!
So if you are able to, exchange an item that has to do with animals, trees, flowers, or any other component of nature!
Placing a geocache during the cold, snowy month of February may seem odd. But the Whiskey Jack (or Gray Jay) lay their eggs and begin incubation in the month of February. This gives the young birds an opportunity to learn how to forage efficiently before the next cold season arrives. And like the Whiskey Jack, we geocachers need to keep our skills sharp year round!
Enjoy the hunt! Whiskey Jack & Jill (and Dakota the dog)
Nature Nut Interpretive Hike – you are welcome (but not obligated!) to find the 2 locations below during your walk and read about each when you get there. Not necessary for finding the geocache, and nothing is hidden at these 2 places - for interest sake only. Print them out and bring them along!
Dogwood N 43 56.712 W 078 37.202
about 330 m from the cache)
« Dogwoods look like shrubs or scrawny trees, but their stems are the hardest wood in Ontario.
« The characteristic red bark of this tree was historically used to make weapons, and given the name Daggerwood (the word dag means “to stab”)
« Traditionally, this wood is used in golf clubs, mallet heads, piano keys, and bats.
« The berries are a favourite of many birds during the summer months.
« The dried inner bark of this species of Dogwood was mixed with tobacco and smoked in pipes (this substance is mildly narcotic).
« It is one of only 3 trees in Ontario that have opposite branching where twigs come off a main branch as the exact same spot (the Maple and Ash are the other two).
Staghorn Sumac N 43 56.603 W 078 37.107
about 140 m from the cache)
« Reddish plumes, composed of fuzzy-coated seeds, are a winter food source for many birds.
« Red Sumac seeds, maple syrup, and water are boiled to make a refreshing lemonade-like drink!
« “Staghorn” comes from the soft fuzz that covers the new branches near the berries in the spring, similar to the velvet coating on a stag’s antlers.
« Don’t get it mixed up with Poisonous Sumac! Similar leaves, but distinctively different berries:
« “Berries of white, a poisonous site.”
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pnpur vf 50 zrgerf bss gur genvy. Vg vf va n fznyy pyrnevat fheebhaqrq ol Juvgr Prqnef jvgu fbzr ynetr snyyra gerrf naq n srj fantf (qrnq gerrf) fgvyy fgnaqvat. Va n fgnaq bs gerrf jrqtrq va gur oenapurf ng gur gehax.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures