Hemlock: Groundspeak was recently contacted and asked to archive this cache. Cache owner, please remove this cache as soon as possible. In the future, please be sure to seek and obtain permission from the appropriate agency when placing all caches.
Interested parties may contact me for Patrick's email address or phone number.
Hemlock
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
From: Patrick Congdon
Subject: Regarding Geocache Sites in the Rancho Canada del Oro Preserve area
Good Afternoon,
I'm the General Manager for the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (OSA) which is the public agency that owns and manages the Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve west of Calero County Park. We have recently located geocache sites within the preserve boundaries. The two sites in question right now - Canada Del Oro Switchbacks and TC/Longwall Canyon are not endorsed by the Authority and we ask that they be removed immediately.
As I observed on Bay Area Backroads a few weeks ago, many folks are interested in the sport of geocaching. It was interesting that at the end of the segment mention was made as to obtaining permission from property owners, both private and public. The OSA was never contacted about either of the above sites.
OSA regulations prohibit off trail use which in the case of these geocache sites is occurring. Here are two excerpts from your web site:
" Having done/looked at other's in the TC series I was prepared to have to work hard for the cache and bailed off the trail early (yes I know, bad bad me)..."
" I keep getting stickers in my socks as I veer off to locate the caches..."
It may be that someone contacted Calero County Park about these sites but this area is not owned nor managed by Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation. I found this on the web site:
" Easy find heading up the switchbacks. Made a quick trip to explore the new trails, caches and bridges in Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve, which is part of Calero County Park..."
We've found other geocache sites over the past year and I have to say we were not contacted about those either. In one case it created problems for us due to the fact that it was on a non-designated trail we were attempting to keep people off.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Patrick Congdon
General Manager
Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
