Cape Florida Lighthouse Mystery Cache Mystery Cache
palmetto: No response from owner.
Archiving listing.
Cape Florida Lighthouse Mystery Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is a mystery cache available only when the lighthouse is open. Bill Baggs State Park rangers and volunteers run tours most days at 10 am and 1 pm. Please call ahead to verify your tour time: 305-361-5811. The posted coordinates will take you to the meeting place for the tour (tour sign-up is ½ hour before tour starts). The park itself is open from 8 am to sunset. Entrance fees are $5 per vehicle (up to 8 people), $3 per single occupant vehicle and $1 per bicycle/walk-in.
** Added note on tours. If the cottage is closed, you can explain that you are doing this cache, and the guide will, most likely, open it for you. I am told that the park is particularly short-staffed on Tues and Wed, and opening the cottage may be a problem on those days. **
The Lighthouse at Cape Florida is one of the oldest standing structures in Miami-Dade County, if not all of South Florida. Built in 1825, it stood 65 feet tall and served as a vital aid to navigation from 1825 until 1878 when the light at Fowey Rocks replaced this lighthouse. The tower was raised to 95 feet tall and a Fresnel lens was added in 1855 allowing the light to be visible nearly 18 miles out to sea. Both lighthouses served to warn ships about the reefs and shallow areas off of these barrier islands. Cape Florida has a rich history including its plundering by Seminole warriors in 1836, restoration in 1846 and further damage during the Civil War. Extensive restoration work was again completed in 1996 after Hurricane Andrew and the neglect of time had damaged the tower and it’s surroundings. See: (visit link) for more information regarding the park and the lighthouse.
To get the final coordinates for this cache you will need to visit the top of the lighthouse, and the lighthouse keeper’s cottage. While you are there, record the following information:
What is the date written on the door of the lighthouse? _____ = a
At the top level of the lighthouse, under the window opposite the door to the outer platform, there is a panel number written by the welder, what is it? ______ = b
To the left of this number, on the riveted seam is another number, what is it? _____ = c
To the right of number b, on the riveted seam is another number, what is it? _____ = d
Directly below the platform you are standing on is a placard (easier read by flashlight) with information on it. What was the year the lighthouse was heightened by 30 feet? _______ = e
Now go to the Keeper’s cottage. In the west side of the cottage (cistern side) is a table with information. Feel free to sign the log, check out the information there, and join/donate money to The Friends of Cape Florida. In the room there is an informative sign entitled “Keepers of the Light”. On that sign is a figure depicting the box in which the keeper kept dry white lead for paint. What is the number for that figure? ______ = f..
For the final cache coordinates, you will adjust the posted coordinates. Add “x” to the minutes of the northing. Add “y” to the minutes of the easting.
x = ((a/b)-c-299))/1000
y = (e-f-d-1703)/1000
The cache container is a painted first aid box, so trade items need to be relatively small.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pbpbahg
Vs Xrrcref pbggntr vf pybfrq vg jnf svther rvtuglbar.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures