Beavers (Castor Canadensis) are the largest rodents in North America, weighing between 30 and 60 pounds and can live up to 20 years in the wild. They were eliminated from most of their range in the 1800s due to trapping but with proper management practices their numbers have increased. They can be found in streams, rivers, ponds, wetlands, and small lakes. Beavers aggregate in colonies that are typically made up of 6 or 7 animals which includes parents, offspring, and offspring’s offspring. They are very territorial and usually nocturnal but can be seen during the day. Due to their ability to significantly modify their environment they are considered a type of ecosystem engineer. Beavers are famous for making dams of sticks, logs, and mud which can increase flooding in low-lying areas but also can help prevent erosion.
I named this cache after the beaver because this last part of the trail has been flooded from a beaver dam. I ran into a volunteer flagging the area for a trail reroute while putting out the cache. I just slogged through the water but if you take your time you may be able to find a dryer path. The estimated time for the reroute completion is the end of March. Please make sure to rehide this cache well as it is not far from the cabins.
This geocache is one in a series of 15 that I have placed along the Cub Lake Trail in Natchez Trace State Park located in Wildersville, Tennessee. Natchez Trace State Park is a 10,154 acre state park located within a 48,000 acre state forest and wildlife management area. Cub Lake is approximately 52 acres in size and the trail around it is approximately 5.8 miles long and considered moderate difficulty. There are approximately 13.5 miles of hiking trails in the park and an overnight trail that is 40 miles long. Other activities at the park include swimming at Cub Lake, boating on various lakes, mountain biking, fishing, and horseback riding. There are also campgrounds and pavilions available for rental.
I would like to thank Walter Pope, park manager, for granting permission for these geocache hides. Please be respectful of the area and stay on the trails for as long as possible. Be sure to bring your boots if you do the whole trail, it can get muddy in sections.
Note as of June 2016: The trail reroute is done and is very nice. When in this area walking through water should not be an issue.