Cedar Swamp Bushwack Traditional Cache
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(regular)
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An all-bushwack cache through forested swampland.
Some of my caches have been quite easy. There has been interest by some dedicated cachers to establish a local cache that has a bit of a terrain challenge to it. After a bit of research and from personal experience, I have found a location that certainly won’t be the easiest area you have ever hiked in, but the search should be a lot of fun. The cache is hidden in North Cedar Swamp in Reading. If you are looking for a terrain challenge, then this is the cache is for you! Although this is public land, there are no trails in this area. If you don’t care for bushwacking, DON’T try it!
Cedar Swamp is primarily dense red maple forest, and most of the year it is wet. There are lots of muddy areas, small hidden streams, dense underbrush, including poison ivy and poison sumac. Make sure you are dressed appropriately. You WILL get muddy! Both North and South Cedar Swamps are located on the eastern side of Haverhill Street, and would be one complete swamp if not for the Burbank Arena that separates them. The Northern Swamp is the larger of the two (having an area of 420 acres vs. 121 acres in the southern swamp). Even so, they are very similar environments. It is an important source of groundwater retention for the town. It also is a large headwater for the Ipswich River. The swamp is broken by small patches of grass, where pine saplings may be found growing.
Part of the challenge will be finding access to the swamp. I recommend that you approach the area from the Haverhill Street side of the swamp. The Lynnfield side (Chestnut Street) is private property. The shortest route to the cache may not be accessible. PLEASE respect any No Trespassing/Private Property signs that you may see! Study the maps. There are at least two public access points that I could find. But remember, there are NO TRAILS to the cache. Also it would be wise to mark the waypoint at your starting point, as hiking in the swamp can be very disorienting. The cache is an ammo box and should be in plain sight, as there is a zero percent chance of it being muggled. FTF prize is a 35mm camera with case. Good luck and happy hunting!
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