Hudson Highlands Land Trust 25 Treasures of the Highlands. Geocache Descriptions

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1 Hudson Highlands Land Trust 25 Treasures of the Highlands Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting activity that uses GPS-enabled devices. To find a treasure, hunters use GPS coordinates to locate the area in which the geocache container is hidden and then attempt to find it. Geocaches can vary in size and shape, but they will never be buried or placed in an area that is not open to the public. The 25 Treasures of the Highlands geocaches have all been placed to spotlight the region s natural resources, history, and beauty. We worked closely with park managers and property owners while placing our geocaches to make sure they are not located in environmentally sensitive locations. We urge you to follow all posted rules and regulations, and to respect the ecology of the areas you visit on your adventure. Happy hunting! Geocache Descriptions 1) Whale Rock GPS coordinates: N W There is parking available at the trailhead, it is a medium hike, with some inclines and varying terrain. Fun for families with kids, dogs on leashes, but not good for strollers. Follow the trail for a nice view and check for ticks when you're done. The cache can be found along the trail that begins off South Highland Rd., right across from the Fish and Game Club. There are a few parking spots along the road and the trail is open to the public. After you find the geocache, continue along the trail to the chimney for a spectacular view! Hint: At a crossroad, check the whale s tail. Attributes: Scenic View, Ticks, Parking, Medium Hike 2) Pick Your Own Cache GPS coordinates: N W This cache is located on a working farm, and is in a place that is accessible to visitors. Please limit your search for the geocache to the farm s hours of operation (9am-6pm) and be mindful of areas that are off limits. After you find the geocache, enjoy the beautiful sights of the farm. Although NY loses one farm every 3 ½ days, this one is protected by an agricultural easement. For your own safety, do not wander into the fields or orchards without checking with an employee. Hint: After you park your car, take a moment to consider the displays near the front of the store. Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Wheelchair accessible, Parking available

2 3) Following the Continental Army s Footsteps GPS coordinates: N W Parking and a map of trails are available by the Black Rock Forest's entry gate. Black Rock Forest is a natural living laboratory that is home to a great variety of plants and animals, and you will see evidence of many ongoing research and management studies. Please be respectful during your visit here. If the White Oak located at the intersection of Continental Rd. and White Oak Rd. could talk, it would tell you more than a geocache location. Born in 1759, it has stood guard while Pony Express riders switched horses, shaded soldiers as the marched between Revolutionary War strongholds and seen the birth of a nation. Bring a snack to enjoy under its branches, then head south on Continental Road to Arthur's Pond and the Stone House. Hint: The treasure you seek can be found at the heart of a 7-trunk ash tree near the White Oak. Attributes: Scenic view, Ticks, Parking available, Medium hike 4) Getting Framed at the Farm GPS coordinates: N W The cache is located on a working farm, and is in a place that is accessible to visitors. Please limit your search for the geocache to the farm s hours of operation (M-F, 8am-6pm; weekends 8am-5pm) and be mindful of areas that are off limits. After you find the cache, take a moment to take in all the sights and sounds, and remember that this bountiful farm is only about an hour's drive from one of the nation's busiest cities. For your own safety, do not wander into the fields or orchards without checking with an employee. Hint: Take the right step, and the cache will be under your foot. Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Scenic view, Parking available 5) At a Crossroads GPS coordinates: N W A short hike to get this geocache, then go on to the North and South Redoubts. There's a geocache at each redoubt and, weather permitting, great views of the Hudson and West Point. Make a day of it! Like the George Washington Stepped Here cache, access to this one is from 135 Snake Hill Road. A little way in to the Garrison School Forest, you will be at a crossroads. You can follow the sign pointing you to the South Redoubt, or go in the opposite direction to the North Redoubt. An interpretive kiosk at the South Redoubt explains the importance of these two locations during the Revolutionary War and Benedict Arnold s attempted betrayal of West Point. Please return things as you found them for the next player s enjoyment. Hint: While you are deciding which way to go, look for an old brick in an odd place. Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Ticks, Parking available, Medium hike 6) Garrison Landing GPS coordinates: N W Size: Small Come down to the riverside to find this geocache. After you find the cache, take time to enjoy the view of West Point, an important stronghold for the colonies during the Revolutionary War. Parking in the train station lot is free on weekends. Hint: A good place to strike up the band Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Scenic view, Parking available, Bicycles

3 7) Free Spirits GPS coordinates: N W Size: Small This is a small cache that should be easy to find. It's within the village of Cold Spring, walking distance from the Metro North train station. It's off Cedar Street, near the entrance to the Haldane School Campus. Hint: This one won t stump you. Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Ticks, Parking available, Bicycles 8) A Diamond in the Rough GPS Coordinates: N W The hope was to place the cache in this lovely new park, but because of safety concerns regarding the active train line, it is by the road leading to the park. Park your car in the Mine Dock Park parking lot. You'll have to walk back up the road a little ways to find our hidden treasure. Enjoy your visit, and the great view of the Bear Mountain Bridge and Hudson River. Come again to see what improvements have been made. Follow Mine Dock Road to the Town of Highlands new public park. Dedicated volunteers are making improvements in the park so obey any posted signs during your visit. Hint: Be on your guard. Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Scenic view, Parking available, Bicycles 9) Not a Bridge too Far GPS Coordinates: N W Recommended for families with children, this geocache can be found on a loop trail at the Hudson Highlands Museum in Cornwall. Follow the turquoise trail at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum s Outdoor Discovery Center. The trail has a few bridges over seasonal streams, varying terrains (meadow and woodland) and is a very enjoyable hike for children to combine with a hunt for this cache. After you find this one, see if you can discover Muskrat Love, also at the Outdoor Discovery Center. Please remember, the Nature Museum is a wildlife sanctuary with posted hours of operation. Hiking trails are open from 10am 4pm, mid-april through November. Be respectful of the plants and animals that call it home. Hint: Near a bridge in the woods, the cache is nestled close to a deer rub. Difficulty Level: Medium Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Parking available, Ticks, Short hike 10) The Towering Triplets GPS coordinates: N W You can pull your car off to the side of the drive or park in the lot at the top of the hill. These towering triplets can see it all from where they stand huddled close together. They watch over sledders in winter, provide a sweet treat in early spring, and offer shade to young artists and poets during the summer. To find this cache, you'll have to get to the root of things. Hint: Home sweet home for the Land Trust Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Ticks, Wheelchair accessible, Parking available, Bicycles

4 11) Arden Point GPS Coordinates: N W Nice views of the Hudson River as you get closer to the geocache. You can make it in less than an hour if you hoof it. You can enter at the Claudio Marzollo Community Center (Route 9D) and park at Glenclyffe Loop. Begin by taking "Marcia's Mile" and cross the railroad tracks on the overpass. You can also start at the Metro North Garrison station and take the trail south from there. Parking is free at the station on weekends. You will find two stone pillars and a sign for "Arden Point - Hudson Highlands State Park" at the southern end of the train station parking lot. Take the trail south and cross the railroad tracks on the overpass. Hint: Look at the opening along the green carpet. Attributes: Scenic views, Ticks, Parking available, Medium hike 12) The High Road GPS coordinates: N W Little Stony Point Park will be the starting point for the planned Hudson Fjord Trail, so why not take in the view from the highest point in the park? To find this cache, take the middle path through the barberry once you cross the bridge. Proceed up a steeply ascending dirt trail until it loops sharply to the right. At that point, pick out a path from the rocky hill (over a downed tree) up to the very top. You'll be rewarded with this cache and a fabulous view of Storm King Mountain. During weekends with nice weather, this can be a high muggle area. The park is just north of Cold Spring village, within walking distance of the Metro North Train Station. Hint: Back from the ledge, lies this cache s rocky home. Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Ticks, Parking available, Scenic views, Medium hike 13) A Former Brownfield Made Green GPS Coordinates: N W Size: Small A micro-cache in a lovely riverside park. On a nice day, this can be a busy place with families, fisherman and kayakers enjoying the river views and river access. The park is within walking distance of the Beacon Metro North station. When Scenic Hudson bought the 16-acre property that now makes up Long Dock Park in Beacon, NY, it was considered a brownfield and in need of a lot of clean-up work. The resulting public park is a wonderful addition to the Hudson River Greenway. After you find the cache, check out Beacon Point, a shoreline installation by George Trakas that projects out over the river--at high tide, the water flows through it. This park is owned and managed by Scenic Hudson. Individuals seeking geocaches do so at their own risk and must follow the park rules listed on the park's kiosk ( Hint: As you follow the trails, you'll learn about the cleanup work done at the park, and may find something else. Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Ticks, Bicycles, Parking available, Wheelchair accessible, Scenic views, Medium hike 14) On the Way to Sugarloaf GPS coordinates: N W The cache can be found along the trail that leads up to Sugar Loaf. Enter at The Castle Rock Unique Area just south of the intersection of Route 9D and Route 403 (see Wing and Wing 1857 etched on one entrance pillar; Castlerock 1881 on the other). Follow signs to several available parking spots. After walking through the grassy field, turn right on the trail, following the blue markers and then the red markers. You'll know you're going the right way when, early on, you pass a cedar gazebo that

5 is situated to your left. Takes just over an hour for the round trip to the geocache, but 2-3 hours if you go for the scenic view at the top. Hint: It s the perfect place to take a break and reflect on the day. Attributes: Ticks, Parking, Easy - Medium Hike 15) Saunders Farm GPS Coordinates: N W This cache is on a privately owned farm with a public trail across it (shown as Cedar Ridge" on NY/NJTC map #103). Combine with "Cow Pie Ridge" for an excellent hike to the top of the ridge. Park at the small pull-off just south of the junction of Old Albany Post Road and Philipse Brook Road. Once on foot, turn left onto Philipse Brook Road, and to the right you will see yellow trail markers on a small silver gate next to a large farm gate. Follow the yellow trail up through several gates. No need to stray more than a few feet from the trail--please be respectful of the property and close all gates behind you. Hint: Under a flat rock perched between two stones. Attributes: Scenic view, Ticks, Medium hike, Takes less than an hour 16) Just another gorgeous view... GPS Coordinates: N W Once you get up here, the views are a dime a dozen. But you'll need to be feeling your oats for the climb. Use NY/NJTC map #102 and choose your favorite trailhead. From dozer junction (you'll know when you get there) follow the white trail along the ridge. For an amazing loop, combine with the "Grazing in the Grass" cache, then continue along the white trail to loop back south, under the ridge. No need to stray more than a few feet from the trail to find this cache. This park is owned and managed by Scenic Hudson. Individuals seeking geocaches do so at their own risk and must follow the park rules listed on the park s kiosk. Please place things as you found them for the next player. Hint: Left of the view, behind and under a rock Attributes: Scenic View, Ticks, Medium Hike 17) Mystery at Manitou Point GPS Coordinates: W Look for the straightest oak, Not a branch for forty feet. In a gothic church for the fancy folk Nestled in a seat. Hint: Only the penitent shall find what they seek. Attributes: Ticks, Takes less than an hour, Parking available 18) Secrets of the Forest GPS coordinates: N W Russel Wright designed his paths as journeys into the secrets of the forest. See if you can find ours. Start your search for this secret from the parking lot. Any of the three trails (red, white or blue) will lead you to the location of the cache--no need to leave the trail to find it. If you'd like to make a hike of it, see NY/NJ Trail Conference map #101 for connections from these trails to the Osborn Loop and the Appalachian Trail.

6 Please visit Manitoga s paths and hiking trails during daylight hours only, and visit for more information for hikers. Hint: Inside the hollow bench log. Attributes: Parking Available, Ticks, Medium Hike 19) Start of the Scofield GPS coordinates: N W Get yourself NY/NJ Trail Conference map #102 and enjoy a beautiful walk along the Scofield Ridge on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail (yellow). The shortest way to the cache is from the Mount Beacon parking lot on 9D. This is a rigorous hike, please bring adequate water and snacks, and wear proper footwear. Along the way, don't miss the views from the fire tower on South Beacon Mountain--south to New York City, north to the Catskills and the beautiful Hudson River Valley in between. The highest point in Putnam County is nearby on the Scofield Ridge. Attributes: Scenic View, Ticks, Medium Hike 20) Take a Walk in the Woods GPS Coordinates: N W This cache is off Sunken Mine Road in Putnam Valley. The road is closed in the winter, but there is a parking lot at the intersection of Sunken Mine Rd. and Dennytown Rd. and only a short walk to the yellow trailhead. There is also pull off parking near the trailhead that can be used when the road is open. The cache is about a 15-minute walk along the yellow trail, but I recommend walking further once you ve found it. It s an especially nice trail to do with children (not stroller friendly) as there are fun changes in the terrain, a clearing near John Allen Pond, a little stream crossing, a frog pool and other things to discover. Hint: Find an oak with four trunks and two blazes. Takes less than an hour, Ticks, Parking available, Medium hike 21) Coming on Sunset GPS coordinates: N W Witness the unrelenting power of freezing and thawing water. Use NYNJ Trail Conference Map #102, and don t miss the western view from the wooden platform at Sunset Point, just north of the geocache location. There is also a beautiful wetland nestled in a rare flat area a few hundred feet southwest that is worth a look. This is a rigorous hike, please bring adequate water and snacks, and wear proper footwear. Hint: Under the far side of the huge split boulder. Attributes: Scenic View, Ticks, Medium Hike 22) Foundry Dock Park GPS coordinates: N W Size: Micro Nice Grab n Go. It should be pretty quick for an observant geocacher a micro cache in a micro park. Fantastic view of the river. This park is owned and managed by Scenic Hudson. Individuals seeking geocaches do so at their own risk and must follow the park rules listed on the park s kiosk. Hint: Don t rest on your laurels. Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Scenic view, Wheelchair accessible, Parking available, Bicycles

7 HHLT Members Only Geocaches 23) A Zoo With a View GPS coordinates: N W Established in 1927, the Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park has allowed visitors to get an up close look at the many animals found in this region. To find the cache, visit the bears, and then follow the paved path across from their enclosure to a Hudson view. When you reach something also found on sailing ships below, the cache will be within reach. It can only be found from the pedestrian walkway do not leave the trail, as this is against zoo rules. Hint: The cache is set between a rock and a hard place. Attributes: Scenic View, Takes less than an hour, Wheelchair accessible, Parking available, Medium hike 24) Perkins Tower GPS Coordinates: N W Take a drive along Perkins Drive to the parking lot at the top. Perkins Drive is closed during the winter season, but the cache is accessible via a long hike. The cache is actually not by the tower. It is not too far from the Appalachian Trail and a scenic overlook. If the weather is good, this popular spot can be full of muggles enjoying the views. While you're there, visit Perkins Tower for a history of the park and a look at the surrounding landscapes--catskills Mountains to the north and New York City to the south. Hint: The cache is nestled very comfortably in a nook in terrain where children love to scramble. Difficulty Level: Medium Attributes: Takes less than an hour, Scenic view, Ticks, Parking available, Bicycles 25) Cache the A.T. GPS Coordinates: N W This is a quick, family-friendly cache--not far from the car. Park on the side of Route 301 and head south along the Appalachian Trail. Please place everything back as you find it for the next player. Hint: Sleepy Hollow Attributes: Ticks, Takes less than an hour, Parking available