By Casey Smith, Naturalist
You may have participated in our Summer Letterbox Adventures program, but did you know there are also geocaches in the parks? Letterboxing includes following a set of clues to a container that holds a stamp. Geocaching uses GPS coordinates to find hidden containers, called geocaches, using a GPS device. Caches usually contain a log book and tradeable items. The GPS coordinates of caches are listed on www.geocaching.com. Just plug the coordinates into your GPS, or use a mobile app on your phone, and head outside. With millions of geocaches worldwide, you shouldn’t have to travel far to find one.
I started geocaching in 2007. I enjoy it because it’s an additional activity that I can add to a hike I was already going to take. It can enhance my time in the outdoors, and now that I have children, I can include them in the hunt. My husband and I like to look for geocaches when we’re on vacation. It can take you to a place of historical interest, or to a natural wonder that you might have missed were it not for the geocache. I even got to visit Stockholm and London to go on a geocaching focused trip.
I also love the creativity cache owners use when designing and placing their caches. Many caches are the traditional type, a Tupperware container, but there are some very creative ones out there. Some caches are called HIPS or “hidden in plain sight.” My favorite HIPS cache was a jar shaped like a light bulb, and screwed into a socket at a park kiosk. It was only on my fourth return to find this cache that I realized there was no electricity going to that kiosk, and I had never seen that light on. Besides the traditional “container hidden somewhere” cache, there are also Earth Caches, Puzzle Caches, and Event Caches. I love doing Earth Caches, because they take you to a special geologic location. You must answer questions about the location to prove you were there and log the cache. My favorite Earth Cache I’ve visited is Stonehenge!
If you’re interested in geocaching, all you need is a GPS device, or GPS enabled phone, and a www.geocaching.com account. It’s free to sign up! Always check the difficulty and terrain rating to be sure you’re not getting into more than you can handle. The size of the container listed will give you an idea of what to look for, and the name and description can give you clues as to where to look. Your GPS unit will get you to within 20-30 feet of a cache, then you need to start looking with your eyes. Look for anything that looks out of place, and think, where would I hide a cache in this area. Remember to respect the environment, watch out for Muggles (non-geocaching people), and always bring a pen. With caches hidden in parks like Deer Haven, Emily Traphagen, and Blues Creek, you can find a cache close to home.
