GCXN3E Desert Extreme (Multi-cache) in Massachusetts, United States created by emmett

This cache has been archived.

emmett: It is time to finish with archiving my caches. I don’t want them listed on GC.com any longer. Very nice site, but very terrible treatment of cache owners. When time allows, I hope to modify this and publish it as a new cache on another site some day.

GCXN3E ▼

A cache by emmett Message this owner

Hidden : 9/30/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A multi-stage hunt that will provide cachers with an extended tour of the Desert/Memorial Forest area in Marlborough and Sudbury. It’s a simple and straightforward hunt, but it will take you on a longer than average hike or bike ride, thus the term “extreme.” Round trip from the designated parking area is about 4.5 miles.

The posted coordinates will get you to the parking area. Stage One is located at:

N 42 22.996, W 71 29.009

The route has been set up to allow brief detours to other area caches. At a minimum, you should plan to check out the following three caches if you have not already logged them as finds. Each fits well with the Desert Extreme route:

Tri-Town Junction (visit link)
Beyond The Stream (visit link)
Witches Cove Trail (visit link)

You should not park in the Desert's Concord Road lot. Instead, go to the posted coordinates and use the area on the side of White Pond Road, just north of the old railroad bed, within a few hundred feet of Stage One.

Information about the area along with a trail map can be found at: (visit link)

The parking area and initial portion of the trail is not on the map, but the railroad bed will take you directly to Tri-Town Junction and you can access all of the mapped trails from there.

This hunt has been particularly designed with mountain bikers in mind but will certainly make for a nice hike as well. In particular, the first half mile of biking from the designated parking area offers a roller coaster-like ride to get you started. Enjoy it at maximum possible speed on your way in but take a slower ride back to your car when you're done. You may see something of interest along the way that might help you conquer another challenge.

At Stage One you will be looking for a plastic letter posted in plain view at eye level, about five feet right of the trail. Match the letter with the corresponding offsets below. Then add the offsets to the Stage One coords and you'll have the location of Stage Two. At Stage Two, find the letter and determine the corresponding offsets, and add the offsets to the Stage Two coords to get the Stage Three location. Continue this process until you find the cache. There is no bushwhacking needed to access any stage. All letters have been placed in the same manner, within ten feet of the trail, usually closer.

Remember, you are only looking for small, colored, plastic letters of the same type. Other letters of any other type, that you may find at trail intersections or elsewhere, are not part of this hunt. It would be a good idea to have a pen and paper for the trip as there is some math involved.

For your convenience, the offsets listed below are also provided on extra sheets available inside the Desert Supply Station.

A: -057N, +735W
B: -278N, -481W
C: +119N, +245W
D: +031N, +963W
E: +254N, +134W
F: +321N, -312W
G: -089N, +253W
H: -299N, -431W
I: +311N, -472W
J: -176N, +243W
K: -099N, +997W
L: -085N, +334W
M: +376N, -487W
N: -166N, -186W
O: -159N, -297W
P: -057N, +219W
Q: -131N, -165W
R: -063N, -439W
S: -157N, -243W
T: -164N, +945W
U: -332N, -546W
V: +276N, -256W
W: -096N, -201W
X: -023N, -365W
Y: +129N, -231W
Z: +350N, -439W

Fall Bonanza Bonus

This cache was released for the 2006 Fall Cache Bonanza and contains a clue sheet for the Fall Bonanza Bonus cache. Make sure you write down the information provided, but please do not remove the clue sheet from the container. (visit link)

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Additional Hints (No hints available.)