brian b

A few of us had some very good caches hidden within Harriman, but when the permit system was put in place, we archived them. At one time, I had a "Shelters of Harriman" series (Stone Memorial) that brought hikers to each of the stone shelters within the park system. Since the inception of the permit system, I have refused to place any caches within any state parks.

You sound like someone who speaks from experience!!!!

Watch out for ticks. Even in the cold weather, those buggers will find a way to find you.

I'll be up for the after event hike. Before event hike; event; after event hike. Sounds like fun. Now all we need is snow.

I, too, have removed caches from a local cacher who is no longer local (probably the same one that Ed and you removed in Harriman). I would say that our job as responsible geocachers, those who are actively involved in the game, is to not only hide worthy caches, but to clean up the messes made by those who are unwilling to play by the rules.

only because I gave all mine to you!!!!

Try this one (scary in name only): The Return of the Ghost (in the Rocking Chair) And then head over to this one: Moodna ~ Bridge(s) of Doom (This one will lead you down quite the scary path . . . .) Both are in Orange County; both are within 5 miles of each other; both are quick little walks. And then when you finish, go for this little night walk: Finding Gold at Night ~ Lasser Park This one is basically between the other two.

Stewart State Forest is a great place to cache, especialy if you have a mountain bike. Black Rock Forest also has some excellent trails and quite a few caches along the way. Schunemunk Mountain offers some of the best views, but requires an all uphill climb to get to any sort of level hiking. But once up, the views are plentiful and the caches are well worth the effort. Just south is Harriman: this used to be a breeding ground of caches until New York came up with its ridiculous permit policy. There remains quite a few fine caches with some very nice hikes as well. Whispering Hills just outside of Montgomery has quite a few caches -- some requiring a bit of a hike, and some a mere walk. No great views, but anytime you are in the woods, the views are nice. There has been some talk about a geocaching organization, but nothing more than mere talk. We get together every once in awhile, shoot the breeze, but we always find each other at the local events.

I live in Orange County, and there is no lower Hundson Valley group. There is, however, a fine group of people that will be gatherin at the 2008 Mid-Hudson Picnic this Saturday. To the best of my knowlege, the only Orange County, NY geocachers are the following: brian b cachefamily WaylessWood and family Ziggy Crew and family 3 bunts Gadjitfreek ZoSo2277 bob393 (an old-timer -- not age wise -- who isn't Geocaching nearly as often as he used to) Gilwell1 phantom12771 (never met) WarwickWallon (never met) (and I am certain I am missing some) Others who may or may not live in Orange County and have not met yet: cornfarrell Dark-Water-Mongrels Try and make it to the event. It'll be fun, you'll get some caches, and get to meet other local cachers.

I've marked the calendar . . . we'll see what happens when the bride sees I've claimed it.

In this part of NY (Hudson Valley Area), the "big game" hunting season starts November 15 and ends Dec 16; this is good for 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset.

I am looking to put a walk together at Black Rock Forest in Orange County, New York. There are quite a few nice trails in the area, and some very nice caches. The only problem in hunting season. Is there an interest in going there, or should I wait until spring?

If I remember correctly, 3 of you ran out of water, and I gave up the rest of mine so I didn't have to carry it any more!!!

Macatac1961, Reisfield, Weathernowcast, and I tackled this beast in about 7 hours and 13 miles of walking. There are six caches on the mountain, and if one opts to forgo the multi, 5 caches can be found. If one wishes to finish the multi (we didn't, but that is another story for another time), then 4 caches can be found. This is an awsome area with views that are unparalled. Tongue French Connection, Tongue French Upper, Tip of the Tongue, Northwest Bay Cache, and Tongue French Lower (not in the order of finding them). The multi is Tongue Wagger, and while we didn't finish this one, picking up the first three stages and then bushwacking down from stage four will get you the French Connection caches. This is one helluva hike!

maybe we can send all the CEO's of all the banks into PA with deer skin jackets . . . . and while we are at it, we can put all the NPS and ATC people responsible for all our archived caches out there with them . . . just a thought

this is it gc1d2te

Here is another hike, under 7 miles, that will reward with around 14 caches or so: (this image has been edited to remove two of the caches, as that is part of the mystery involved!) The mystery caches involve H2O's All For One and One For All -- Hotel Treville cache. Other caches are a short distance from the counter-clockwise path around the lake. We couldn't find BrianSnat's stage one of The Rotten Ramble, but that might also add another on your journey. Total miles we walked: 6.8 Elevational change: very little, with the exception of Billy E. 9/11/01, which was a small uphill, rewarded with an awsome viewpoint, and a great cache.

I,too, am drafting a letter (not an email) to the ATC, as well as my local State Senator, and my local state represenative. I am chosing traditional mail as well as email. I intend to mention CITO; I intend to mention ATV use, and illegal hunting, and illegal camping. My letter to the ATC will include a note canceling my membership effective immediately. It is odd that while many state and local organizations have thoroughly embraced the sport of Geocaching and all that is has to offer (gatherings, public awareness, CITO), at the same time other organizations completely shut us out.

When NY State implemented its Permit Policy a few years back, I vowed to NEVER renew my Empire Pass, and to not pay any monies to NY State parks again. Maybe now I will have to cancel my ATC membership, with a little note that not only dues, but all the little extras I used to send them will now be given to my local clubs. Or maybe not.

You are right, Ed. I suspect that the physical cache is still there, as I have not removed it, nor is there a note about its being removed. With that said, i imagine that if one wanted to search for it, retrieve it, one might be able to get the final smiliey from this cache!

No. And Above Earl has been archived, but there are some new ones up there: Schunemunk Scamper and Pudding Stone -- both of which offer some spectacular views. If you really want a long hike, add Knob to the hike . . . and you are probably looking at 12 - 14 miles. This is best done by making a one way trip, dropping one car off at N 41° 21.811 W 074° 06.310 and starting the hike at N 41° 24.440 W 074° 04.892. I took my 8-year-old on this and we had a fine time.

A few weeks ago, my cousin did another BrianSnat hike, found 11 caches along the way, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I believe that there are a few newer ones out there along this loop, so you'll have to check that out. Here is my bread crumb map with the caches: And the profile (which, by all accounts, isn't that bad):

Yep. I was wrong. The Spot is the oldest New York cache.

I know that gerbiL cacHe is the oldest active and first cache in New Jersey. I think that Boston Cache may be the oldest active and first cache in New York (but I could be wrong). What are the first caches for each of the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast States? What are the oldest active caches?

Every weekend in Sept is booked for me . . . but don't let that influence your decision!