"Do not try to bend the spoon, that's impossible. Instead only try to realize the truth... There is no spoon... Then you will see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself."
From the parking spot near the road (N 40° 13.998 W 75° 47.266), you will walk along or even in an old stream bed - the water used to go one way. You will have to huff it the other way. Additional info from edscott's log:
The stream bed mentioned is actually an old eroded wagon track that was probably used to haul charcoal over the hill to the Hopewell Furnace. Just down from the cache is a good example of a charcoal terrace where they made the charcoal back in the 1800s. It is within sight from the trail to the east. There are hundreds of them in the park. Take a map and look for the little brown triangles.
From another parking spot, you'll approach this cache from the top and will have almost no slope. You will initially be on a *very* well-defined trail marked with orange and green blazes. Look carefully for the orange-only blazes that signals the walking trail that is much nicer to hike on.
Either way, the trail you are on can easily be turned into a 3-mile loop by following the solid orange blazes.
Thank you to the auction king ChazCasino for providing all the original inventory!
from the DCNR website:
More than 30 miles of well-marked trails cover a large portion of the park's 7,339 acres. Trail maps are available by the park office. Hikers at French Creek have a wide variety of opportunities for quiet reflection, nature study and physical challenge. Trailhead parking is located in many convenient areas.
The heavily forested, scenic hills of French Creek State Park provide habitat for plants and animals in the ever-expanding urban environment of southeastern Pennsylvania. Large oak, poplar, hickory, maple, and beech trees cover much of the park, with a sparse understory of mountain laurel, rhododendron and other brushy plants. This large, diverse environment supports many animals that take advantage of the high quality of the resources found at French Creek. If you are observant while at the park you will see deer, squirrels, raccoons, songbirds, and numerous other small animals and birds. The park sustains good populations of resident birds and animals, but also serves as an important stop for migratory species using the woodlands, streams, lakes, and wetlands for food and cover.
Camp sites are available year-round. These can be reserved up to noon of the day of arrival. They even have cabins available! Call 888-PA-PARKS to reserve one.
If you would like to find out about the critter mentioned in the decrypted hint, please see my log from 10/10/2003. Some people may find this a spoiler, though and should read this log only after finding the cache.