Lilley Cornett Woods Multi-Cache
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The first stage of this cache is located at the Lilley Cornett Woods Visitor Center.
Lilley Cornett Woods is the first and longest preserved remnant of old-growth forest in eastern Kentucky. In your visit to the Woods, you return to the kind of forest that was seen by early pioneers. It is a unique "island" of protected forest in a "sea" of other kinds of land use. It has been designated as a Registered National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior, and it is also a Registered Natural Area of the Society of American Foresters.
The first settlers moving into present-day Kentucky in the late 1700 and early 1800 encountered millions of acres of pristine forest as they passed through the Cumberland Gap and slowly made their way into the hills and mountains of eastern Kentucky. The forests provided practically all of the raw materials for homesteads and towns and an abundant supply of game animals, plant foods, and medicines. Livestock were allowed to roam the woods far and wide for food. From earliest days of settlement, the forests have supported iron ore production, the timber industry, coal mining, railroads, and development of the region. Over 80% of eastern Kentucky remains in forest, but it is very different from the old-growth forests known to the Native Americans, wolf, catamount (mountain lion), and bear.
Lilley Cornett Woods is valuable to us as a preserved part of our natural heritage that we can visit, appreciate, and understand. School groups from elementary school through college can visit the Woods as part of their studies in environmental education, field biology, history and ecology. Guided tours walk through a forest that is one of the last of its kind in Kentucky and the southern Appalachian region. Ecological research conducted at Lilley Cornett Woods will involve the study of plants and animals in their natural environments for years to come as we follow the forest and its changes through time.
What is an old-growth forest? In the southern Appalachians, old-growth forests have these prominent characteristics:
Many large trees over 200 years old.
Many trees that have substantial commercial value such as white oak and black walnut.
Trees of all ages and sizes from year-old seedlings, saplings, and young trees to the large, old trees.
Many standings snags of trees that have died because of old age, wind damage, and other reasons.
Many rotting logs, tree limbs, and a thick layer of leaves on the ground.
A large number of different kinds of plants and animals.
Little or no evidence of human disturbance.
"Old-growth" best describes the few forests like Lilley Cornett Woods because virtually all forests in the eastern United States have been logged, burned by people, grazed by livestock, or modified by some other human activity. Terms such as "virgin" and "overmature" are very difficult to define and justify. Young forest can eventually become beautiful old-growth with many different plants and animals if they are given enough time. National Parks, Wilderness Areas, and State Nature Preserves are examples of protected areas where valuable old-growth forests can develop for future generations.
Guided tours are available on week-ends beginning in April. Beginning in May and through October, daily tours are available, Wednesday-Sunday, on a first come-first served basis. You can schedule a tour by calling 606-633-5828; please call at least 48 hours before you plan to go.
1st Stage:
The above coordinates are parking coordinates for the Visitor Center for Lilley Cornett Woods. From there you will need to proceed to the building where you will gather information from one of the exhibits outside.
?1: How many annual rings did the White Oak Tree have? ABC
?2: What was the true age of the tree when it fell? DEF
To get the final stage coordinates, first add the answer to question one to the North Coordinate!
574 + (answer to ?1) = ABC
464 - (answer to ?2) = DEF
To check your answers for the final stage question 1, add A+B+C=X
X=19
To check your answers for question 2 DEF add D+E+F=Y
Y=10
Final coordinates:
N 37 04.ABC
W 082 59.DEF
The cache is a Ammo Can NOT LOCATED IN THE PRESERVE, BUT DOWN THE ROAD FROM IT.
Happy Caching
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Zbffl Ebpx
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