Geocaching off Passaconaway?

[hikes-with-him]

Hi all

Whiteface adn Passaconaway on Sunday...have heard (and have coordinates for) two geocaches that are on the way to Passaconaway...via the Wolalancet Ridge trail (I think that the name)

Anyone heard of these...or have experience with the Walalance Ridge Trail?

Thanks.

 

[nartreb]

Wonalancet ridge trail. Fine trail, moderate slopes, some views.

 

[erugs]

I posted a trail conditions report on a loop we did there a few weeks ago. Nice trail. Wannalancet is not nearly so well-used as Dicey so it makes a nice change to use that as a loop. The section by Nanamocomuck (renamed Moosepoopmuck by our giddy group of four) is very steep.

 

[cyohman]

Hiked It Last Weekend

For the second time.

I assume you mean the Wonalancet Range Trail. No clue on the geocaches.

Some general directions. Please refer to the map in the lot and have one with you. Head right out of the Ferncroft Parking Lot. A tenth of a mile in, hang a left before the bridge. Forget the name of the bridge and brook. Be careful in this section. The trail is confusing, but better than what it was. There is blue flagging now.

Follow it until the split. The left branch leads to the summit. No view. Before the summit are ledges that offer nice views of Chocorua, Ferncroft, and the Lakes Region. Caution urged in wet or icy conditions. The right branch is the shortcut. No views. Past where the trails rejoin is a nice view of Passaconaway, the Bowl, and Whiteface. Continue until a viewpoint towards the south on Hibbard Mountain. Careful here. The trail heads left before the viewpoint, but there is a developing(?) herd path to the right of the view that swings around.

Trail ends at junction with Walden Trail. Take a left. Ups and downs until Square Ledge Trail. Continue on Walden Trail to the top. Alternatively, take East Loop 5 minutes until Dicey's Mill and head on up from there. Follow the trail carefully around Camp Rich.

I'll post my pics a little later. PM me if I forget.

 

[erugs]

Continue until a viewpoint towards the south on Hibbard Mountain. Careful here. The trail heads left before the viewpoint, but there is a developing(?) herd path to the right of the view that swings around.

I had forgotten about the confusion and the viewpoint. If you are just watching your feet, you will go to the viewpoint. Because people head out there and then back, it's much more of a traveled route. I'd like to see the trail rerouted there to include the lookout, and perhaps that is what will happen in time. When we were there, we were suprised that the trail suddenly ended. Upon retracing our steps, we found the turn we'd missed, but there was no marking on the tree or trail to head us in that direction. Of course, we'd have known right away if we had remembered what we'd read in the trail description...

 

[hikes-with-him]

Thanks for the info...I will print these directions and put with my map (GPS or not...we ALWAYS use a map...maps don't have that pesky "drift" issue!)

(oh...and that heardpath by the viewpoint might be there because I THINK that one of the geocaches is by that view point)

Wondering, however, if these confusions will be more or less if we are coming DOWN this trail from Passaconaway back TO the parking lot...

 

[erugs]

The herdpath to the outlook is more noticeable heading up. It might be missed coming down, I think. I'm betting more people go to the outlook because it is one of the rare views from the trail rather than because the geocache is there. Also, the trail is leading up and naturally wants to head that way. The actual trail is almost a left turn as you are climbing.

 

[cyohman]

Clarification

My experience is going up the trail. Overall, the trail is easy to follow except for the aforementioned caveats. I suspect it's not much different going down. If you don't mind sharing, what is your complete route?

You're welcome. Enjoy!

 

[cyohman]

Pics

Should be public:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32869&id=100000720654864&l=90622b26d2

View from Hibbard:

View Further Along the Wonalancet Range Tr:

Hope this helps.

 

[MichaelJ]

Are these published geocaches in a designated Wilderness area?

 

[hikes-with-him]

Are these published geocaches in a designated Wilderness area?

geocaching.com is where I got the coordinates...is that an issue? We are new to geocaching and are just learning...

 

[cyohman]

If you post the coordinates, then it's an easy issue to resolve.

 

[hikes-with-him]

I guess my question is...

is it NOT ok to put a geocache in a wilderness area (we did NOT put it there...we just looked for and found it...signed the log, and put it back)...

I know that there can be issues with geocachers who put them on private land without permission and other such things. My understanding from reading the requirements on geocaching.com is that to post on the site, you must HAVE appropriate permissions (and, it states, these things will be checked prior to publicizing the geocache)...

 

[RoySwkr]

Thanks for the info...I will print these directions and put with my map (GPS or not...we ALWAYS use a map...maps don't have that pesky "drift" issue!)

You won't need the GPS for the caches either, the clues are obvious

Are these published geocaches in a designated Wilderness area?

Not everybody knows the FS rules as well as you

 

[hikes-with-him]

You won't need the GPS for the caches either, the clues are obvious
QUOTE]

Sounds like you may have found them? They were obvious and easy...one contained a "travel coin" that originated from the Netherlands in 2008!! It has now found its way to Maine

 

[cyohman]

I have no idea. If you want to pm me the coordinates, then I can let you know if they are in the wilderness area. I'm not going to report anyone. Just offering my assistance to let you know if they are in the wilderness area or not.

 

[cyohman]

Just Happened to Look

Geocaching

Geocaching is not allowed within designated Wilderness or alpine areas of the White Mountain National Forest. (Alpine is defined as an area where trees are 8 feet tall or less.) This prohibition is designed to protect fragile areas from too much use or signs of human presence.

Geocaching is currently allowed in other parts of the National Forest. To help ensure that it stays that way, practice Leave No Trace ethics every time you go out.



http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/recreation/wilderness/geocaching.htm

 

[psmart]

Yes, they are in Wilderness - and should not be there according to WMNF Wilderness rules:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/recreation/wilderness/

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/recreation/wilderness/geocaching.htm

 

[hikes-with-him]

I apologize, then...as I was unaware of this...

I will be MUST MORE CAREFUL from this point forward. We try very hard to be good stewards, practicing "Leave no Trace", "hiker's code", "Carry in, Carry out", etc.

Thank you, all, for the information...

 

[cyohman]

I wouldn't worry about it. I didn't notice the geocaches. I think the rule is dumb, but I don't make the rules.