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Container have been changed for maintenance to avoid the humidity, now is an small food container. Thanks to the fellow that changed it.Please see the new photos of how it look now.
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My Cache is a Mini Cache, a Camo painted “Nestle Quick” plastic container. It has a logbook with pencil and pencil sharpener, some “Geoescondites” Buttons and one Where is George? $1.00 Bill Series: 2003 s/n: C24576766C.
MONTE DEL ESTADO DE MARICAO, PUERTO RICO
INTRODUCTION
The State Forest of Maricao was created by means of proclaims December 22, 1919, administrative bulletin #159. This has been the only forest of land created by proclaims.
GEOGRAPHY
The Forest covers a territorial extension of 10,569 cords or 4,159 hectares and is found in the West portion of the Central Mountain Range, in a zone of rainfall. It is located among the municipalities of San German, Savana Grande and Maricao in two separated segments. The elevation varies since 150 to 900 meters upon the sea level.
Following the State Road #120, that crosses the Forest, various cuts of relief can be observed that leave to the discovered interesting green formations-azure of “serpentinita”, a rock very brokenness of volcanic origin (igneous) of which the 85% of the soils of the region is derived. This Forest offer beautiful panoramic areas to their visitors; in clear days and cleared can be seen until Mona Island.
CLIMATE
The average precipitation in the Forest is high, reaching 2,396 mm (94 inches). The months of greater precipitation during the year are August, September and October. January and February are the driest months. The average temperature is of 21 C (72 F).
VEGETATION
Distinguished five associations of vegetation have themselves grouped in three bioclimatic zones of life: Humid Subtropical Forest (32.9%), Very Humid Subtropical Forest (65%) and Mountainous Forest under (1.9%). It is the Forest that has the biggest plants species diversity.
ECOLOGIC IMPORTANCE
Maricao meets three conditions that do it unique among the forests of Puerto Rico: their climate, that is found in less than the three percent of the Island; the well aerated soils of “serpentinita” that permit a quick one rains current and their state of pristine conservation that resists very hard with the dry adjacent areas, strongly intervened and populated.
By this, in the Forest of Maricao you find a very diverse, exuberant vegetation and with the highest degree of endangered for their country. In this forest have their birth the “Guanajibo” and “Rio Grande de Añasco” rivers, with their respective effluents. These rivers are of vital importance in the supply of water toward the populations of the West of Puerto Rico.
FAUNA
They have registered 60 species of fowls, of which 29 are natives of the area. The "Falcon de Sierra" (Accipiter striatus venator), the "Zumbadorcito de Puerto Rico" (Chlorostilbon maugaeus), Reinita del Bosque Enano" (Dendroica angelae) and the "San Pedrito" (Todus mexicanus), are species endangered that inhabit in the Forest. The "Zumbadorcito" is found in danger of extinction.
FLORA
This Forest shows off the highest diversity vegetable in the Island (some 1,141 species of plants of which 368 species reach size of tree, some 108 species of orchid, 22 species of bromeliad, some 174 species of fern). Of the 128 species of plants endangered in Puerto Rico, 23 are found in Maricao.
The "Higüero de Sierra" (Floods portoricensis), and the "Orquídea" (Cranichis ricartii), are two species of plants endangered and in danger of extinction that are found in the Forest. It is the only state forest where occurs the association vegetative of "Caimitillo" (Micropholis chrysophylloides) and of "Caobilla" (Podocarpus coriaceus), the only coniferous natural of P. R., upon serpentina soil.
Besides the wild species, are several important plantations of Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani), Honduran (pinus caribacea) and María (Callophylum brasiliense). This last one has been reported as utilized by the "Falcon de Sierra" to build its nests. Some of these plantations have permitted that under their foliage themselves reestablish again the natural vegetation of the Forest.
RECREATIONAL USES
Among the activities that can be carry out in the Forest, are: hiking in the multiple trails existing, contemplation of panoramic views, observation of fowls and nature photographing. You can visit the "Torre de Piedra" (an Observatory Stone Tower on the road side) and the Nursery of sweet water Fish (Los Viveros) in the near town.
To arrive at the Forest of Maricao: Take the highway number 52 of San Juan to Ponce and then the highway number 2 toward Savana Grande. Turn to the right in the State Road #120 and follow direct until finding the entrance of the Forest and the office of the Official of Management. There they will be able to provide any information that you needs upon the Forest.
Enjoy the visit, the view, the Geocaching activity and remember to CITO.
After passing the entrance and the offices continue on State Road #120 going to Maricao town, pass the “Torre de Piedra” and look for the entrance gate at km 16.2, to your left for another facilities of the “Departemento De Recursos Naturales”. It have paved main road and some dirt trails for hiking, you can see about three concrete houses, restroom facilities and some green sitting bench to the right of the road, continue until it end. There are two green sitting benches, trash basket and a beautiful view of the southwestern coast.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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