Trees of Greenlake: Atlantica Multi-Cache
Rock Rabbit: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this listing, so I must regretfully archive it.
Trees of Greenlake: Atlantica
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This cache is located along the Greenlake path in Seattle.
The point of the Trees of Greenlake series of caches is to have fun while learning to identify some of the trees in this park. Knowing about trees can make your walks more enjoyable. We hope this will be a good learning experience for both kids or adults.
The first coordinates will be used to locate a tree of the species in question. In order to locate the actual cache you will need to identify a second set of the same kind of tree somewhere else around the lake using the directions provided. The caches will be located at or near this second set of trees.
Please note that these locations are usually consumed with muggles and it may be difficult to locate some of the caches without being seen. Bring a pen as most of them are very small containers and only contain a logbook.
Cedrus atlantica [See-druss at-lan-tic-uh] commonly called the Atlas Cedar.
1) Use the coordinates listed to see this first set of trees:
Three items you can use to identify this tree are:
- This tree has needles for leaves. Look closely at a branch. The needles are short and come out in bunches along the branch. You will see 20 or so in a bunch growing from single points along the branch. The branches taper toward the ends giving it a “fingery” look.
- Step back and get a sense of the tree’s branching pattern. The branches tend to make a quick turn upward at their base then level out, usually pointing upward slightly at their tips. Also again note the “fingery” look to the branches from afar.
- Get a sense of the stout trunk and sturdy framework.
2) There are about 20 Atlas Cedars around the lake. To get to the correct one, start to walk clockwise around the lake path. The single tree you’re looking for is a little different than all the others in that it has a very spidery look to it. It’s branches reach over the path. If you've reached the cross-walk light on Aurora Ave, you've gone too far. Once you think you've found it, use your GPS to backtrack approximately 169ft along the path (counterclockwise). When you reach this point, look for a sign.
In summer this is a good spot to watch the turtles sunning themselves on the logs and listen to the reedy calls of the red-winged blackbirds flitting among the cattails and lily pads. Or pretend to while you search for the cache. In winter you’ll have to be more creative. Absolutely no bush-wacking required!
Extra info for your entertainment: The Cedrus atlantica is named for the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco where they grow natively. They come in colors of mid-green to a very blue-grey. The cones appear above the branches on female trees only. They are smaller than a fist and usually shatter upon dropping to the ground. The lucky kid who finds intact cones on the ground may use them as “hand grenades” as they make a satisfying “explosion” upon thrown impact. No doubt one of nature’s many ingenious methods of seed dispersal.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[hint] ungf bss gb gubfr jub pna fvta guvf