Psycho Backcountry Cache #1-Mountain Laurel Forest Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Vinny & Sue Team: hixon and I found the cache container strangely shattered... time to archive this one and leave the Mountain Laurel to the animals. There is a nice hiding spot up on the ridge though with a nice view of the Mountain Laurel [:)]. Thanks to those who've visited over the years. (Sue-Cat)

More
Hidden : 6/1/2005
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

This cache is located in Gambrill State Park. This is a wilderness cache. The cache is located near the Catoctin Trail, and any approach will require some off-trail trekking, including steep slopes. This cache has been fully approved by DNR.

Please note that we renamed this cache on 9/21/05 from "Mountain Laurel Forest" to "Psycho Backcountry Cache #1-Mountain Laurel Forest", to include this cache as part of our new Psycho Backcountry Cache series, a complement to our Psycho Urban Cache seres.

The cache is located in a wilderness forest in mountainous terrain, and within 0.1 mile of the Catoctin Trail. Any approach will require trekking the Catoctin Trial, which may be easily found on any trail map. Elevation is 1,296 feet. Waypoint coordinates should be extremely tight, and can take you within 13 feet of the cache or closer. Cache has been approved by DNR.

In addition to paid parking at the southern/overlook end of Gambrill State Park, there are numerous safe and legal, and free, spots to park provided along Gambrill Park Road, which roughly parallels the trail. These spots will be graveled pull-off areas near the roadway. If you choose to use such areas, please make sure that your vehicle is fully off the road. And, please make sure that you are not blocking an access road for the park service or for a private property inholding.

It is also possible to approach the Catoctin Trail from the Hamburg Road side, such as the trailhead parking lot for hikers/mountain bikers/fishermen at N39°29.411' and W77°28.414'. The trek can be as short as 1.1 miles from this parking lot, but at the cost of trekking along a series of three unnamed and unmarked (i.e., no signs, no paint, no markers) trails -- many of which are over 50 years old, and none of which are shown on any trail map – to reach the Catoctin Trail. These unmarked trails are used by hikers, mountain bikers and hunters familiar with the area. Due to an agreement with DNR which is part of the cache approval, it must be understood that if you choose to attempt the trek to the Catoctin Trail from the Hamburg Road trailhead parking lot, when you traverse any private or city-owned lands on your trek, you are traveling simply as a hiker. The cache itself is located on Gambrill Park property, and thus your geocacher role will not kick in until you have entered Gambrill State Park property. Prior to that point, you will simply be a hiker who may be using a GPS to assist with orientation.

BASICS
Please do not attempt to find this cache unless you are in good physical shape and a good hiker.
Located in wilderness area: poisonous plants, thorns and briars, snakes, poisonous snakes, ticks, ants, lizards, fox, coyotes, bears, bobcats, cranky turtles and an occasional rabid groundhog or raccoon.
An off-trail cross-country trek across fairly rough terrain is required.
Hunting allowed on nearby non-state park lands in season. Falling rocks.
Rough terrain, sharp rocks. Trail hike and off-trail hike; moderately rough hike. Takes less than 1 hour.
Not wheelchair accessible. Trek not kid-friendly, but possibly okay for some.
Available 24/7 but not recommended at night.
Legal parking available for hike in to cache. Most parking options require no fees. Parking illegal at night.
Some climbing/clambering.
Camping and campfires may be allowed at designated locations in the state park; consult the state park website or brochure for details. An MD DNR webpage describing the park and regulations may be found at (visit link)
No telephone nearby.
Available in winter if you can find safe and legal parking.
No telephone, rest facilities or drinking water nearby, but may be available at park buildings at visitor centers, etc. (several miles away.)
Do not park in driveways of nearby rural homes or rural wilderness properties.

I am a happy member of the Maryland Geocaching Society (aka MGS), which is a great group of cachers from Maryland and surrounding states. The many members of MGS offer great support for cachers, both old and new, and great advice on hiding and finding caches as well, and also plenty of local get-togethers where you can rub elbows with other local cachers. If you wish to learn more about MGS, please go to the MGS website at www.mdgps.com -- see you there!
Enjoy!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre n snyyra gerr. Uvqqra.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all bookmark lists...