South Woods Gorge Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Wis Kid: Hi there,

Unfortunately, you are now too close to a stage of a mystery cache, The Bare Necessities, owned by ~HideNseekers~. As it is a mystery cache, I'm not allowed to give you the coordinates. You will either need to solve the puzzle or contact the owner for the coordinates. Feel free to contact me again if you find a new spot or this location becomes available.

Wis Kid - Volunteer Reviewer

More
Hidden : 3/2/2006
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Very nice woods for a walk. Wildlife is abundant and there are many different interesting plant species here in spring and summer. There are also some very nice old hardwood trees located in this nature area.

There is parking off of Lincoln Street at N43 49.942 W088 51.091. The trip to cache is about a half mile each way (or longer if taking trails and not going directly there). The cache will be easier to find when there are no leaves on the trees. I strongly recommend that you bring hint with you just in case. GPS readings can be very spotty in ravine and even worse with leaves on trees. There are well marked trails through different areas of the woods. There is a trail map near the entrance (down path about 100 yards from parking). I recommend taking the low way one way and the ridge way the other way. I have seen the most deer while on the green trail. While hiking the green trail you will also see evidence of a storm that came through recently. Caution is advised if small children are along, especially in the ravines. In the spring and/or when it rains it can get muddy (wear boots). There can also be running water in gorge (and other ravines). Dogs are welcome here but please keep them under control and bring baggie to clean up after them. Hunting is not allowed on this property but there are deer stands on adjacent property so wear blaze orange in season.

This nature area occupies a narrow valley formed by limestone embankments on the west and developed sloping land on the east. The flood plain of Crystal Creek which flows through the woods forms an area of transition. It exhibits the natural characteristics created by meltwater from the glacier and subsequent development of flora which is considered native to the area. The creek has its origin south of the woods but is augmented by springs which flow from limestone outcroppings within the woods.

There are some huge (and tall) old oak trees in these woods. The biggest in the woods is a White Oak located at N43 49.953 W088 51.427. Stand next to this tree and look up...amazing. This tree is more that 6ft in diameter at base and almost 100 ft. tall. Most of the biggest trees in South Woods are in this area of the woods. Within 50 yards of this tree there are 3 more very large trees, one almost directly east (the tallest at over 105ft tall) and two more to the southwest.

The history of South Woods is quite interesting. In 1901 a group of women that did not want the woods to disappear purchased 20 acres for $2,000. Over a hundred years ago (in 1902) the South Woods Park Association had their first meeting. There are remains (fireplace) of an old boy scout cabin near cache. Over the years the woods have expanded and now includes more than 50 acres. The Association's goal is to keep the woods as natural as possible so nothing is cut or picked and when trees fall, they are left were they are.

If you are up for extending your hike you can go to another one of my caches which is in the Ceresco Prairie Conservancy (Ripon View). South Woods trails are connected to the Conservancy's trails. The trail that goes to northern border of South Woods is the white/blue trail and it is east of cache (you may have taken it part way to cache). Ripon View is about a .7 mile hike (on trails) from this cache.

Please practice cache in trash out!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Fbhgu jnyy orgjrra ebpx cvyrf

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)


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