The Save The County Land Trust was a non-governmental, not for profit organization that promotes ecological diversity and active stewardship by acquiring and preserving natural areas in Onondaga and surrounding counties for education, scientific inquiry, biological conservation, and appropriate recreational use. It is now known as the Central New York Land Trust (https://cnylandtrust.org/). This is the fourth in a series of geocaches placed on Save the County properties thanks to the efforts of Syrwin, who obtained permission from STC to place Geocaches at selected STC properties.
High Hickory Wildlife Sanctuary contains a view of Skaneateles Lake, four streams and a man-made ½ acre pond; one of those streams has formed a picturesque series of small falls, chutes and rapids. The property contains 41 acres of mixed forest and 46 acres of open fields. Many species of birds are present due to the diversity of habitat. The open fields are mowed on a rotating basis each year – plan to traverse through waist deep grass (and wildflowers!) if the fields are not mowed – at any other time of year, it’s an easy half mile walk to the cache. Continue east (downhill) from the cache for a view of the small waterfalls and to connect to a trail that follows the rim of the ravine.
High Hickory is located in the Town of Spafford uphill from and adjacent to Lourdes Camp of the Roman Catholic Church. Take Route 41 (E. Lake Road) south from the Village of Skaneateles and turn right onto Nunnery Road at Borodino. Proceed 1.8 miles on Nunnery Road and turn right onto Richard Road. The trailhead is 0.6 miles down Richard Road on your left (east side of the road), at N42 49.935; W076 18.903. There is a small parking lot. Please park very carefully on Richard Road if the lot is full or snowed in.
The cache has a Geocoin that traveled from Hawaii for the “first to find” - please keep it moving!
Please note: STC has granted specific permission to place caches on selected properties and denied permission to place caches on others due to the delicate nature of the ecology at those sites. Please maintain Geocaching’s good reputation - do not place unauthorized caches on STC properties!
Special thanks to STC on-site steward Mark Fohs for giving us a tour of the property and helping us find a good spot for the cache!
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