Geocaching Billerica and Chelmsford

Now that my weight is starting to come down, I've decided to walk a bit further each day.  With that in mind I set off for Billericia where there were 8 caches reasonably near one another, and Chelmsford where there was an area with an additional 3.  Temps were in the low to mid 20s and the sky was delightfully clear.  Here's what I attempted today:

Listing	Date	Log Type
DALE #2 (BILLERICA)	2/5/2010	Found it
The Green Way	2/5/2010	Found it
Gas Saver Copycat I	2/5/2010	Found it
Up Hill's Hills	2/5/2010	Found it
The Midway	2/5/2010	Found it
Concord Overlook	2/5/2010	Found it
Domus Rana	2/5/2010	Found it
Root of the Problem	2/5/2010	Found it
DLY #2 - Charlotte	2/6/2010	Didn't find it
Forrest Stump	2/6/2010	Didn't find it
Utility Pole Clue (updated)	2/6/2010	Found it

The day started in Billerica at Vietnam Veterans Park and Ralph Hill Conservation Area.  This is a small park just off Rt 3 at Treble Cove Rd across from a correctional facility.  This area is a flying site for RC models, helicopters, and boats.  On weekends it can be quite a show.  There are also facilities for riding, biking, playgrounds, athletic fields, and what looks like a shooting range.

DALE #2 (BILLERICA) - Found it.  I started just off Treble Cove Rd at the veterans memorial.  There is ample unplowed parking but it could be muddy. This is a particularly nice memorial.  The cache is off from the monuments unlike others in this series I've found.  It would be a difficult find in deep snow.  Like most of the veterans memorials in this series, the site is memorable and I spent a few minutes remembering my own time in the military.  SL/TNLN/TFTC.

Just on the other side of the veterans memorial is an RC Aircraft field.  On weekends there is often quite a show.

I drove down the hill to parking at N42° 33.1363'W71° 17.8910'.  I left the car here for the entire 'loop' through the Ralph Hill Conservation area.  The parking area was large but I do not think it is plowed in the winter.  Today it was easily dealt with despite considerable ice over the gravel surface.

The Green Way  - Found it.  SL/TNLN/TFTC.  Fresh from DALE #2 (BILLERICA),   The first cache on the loop is just a short walk and despite some issues with GZ being unstable, was quickly found.  The cache is on the ground and would be a tough find in deep snow. The area around this cache is rather nice open forest with a bed of pine needles.

Gas Saver Copycat I - Found it.  SL/TNLN/TFTC.  This was a considerable walk from The Green Way over very mixed trails.  Some were entirely snow free while others were iced over from all the foot traffic and required some care.  There were a few muggles about but they were not an issue.  The cache was a relatively easy find with little snow.  Deep snow would be an issue.  The container had water and ice inside and the lip was split.  I drained it but it should probably be replaced. 

Up Hill's Hills - Found it.  SL/TNLN/TFTC.  This was just a short distance further but I decided, probably incorrectly to bushwack up hill.  Good exercise but tough on this old man's legs.  Got to a trail and found an interesting 'lean to' in the woods.  Continued along the trail a bit and then bushwacked a bit more to GZ.  Found it.  Cache in good order but would be a tough find in deep snow.  OK today.

Concord Overlook - Found it.  SL/TNLN/TFTC.  Bushwacked back to the trail and then followed to very near GZ.  Cache was VERY easy to find with much of the cover now on the ground.  Deeper snow would be a challenge.  I replaced it and returned the cache.

Domus Rana  - Found it.  SL/TNLN/TFTC.  Short walk over rolling terrain.  Easy find but deep snow would be an issue.  Container needs maintenance but contents were in good condition. 

Root of the Problem - Found it.  SL/TNLN/TFTC.  Another short walk along mixed trails some times snow/ice and sometimes clear.  The terrain around GZ shows a good deal of digging and is difficult to walk.  I bushwacked in.  Cache is a clever hide but I found quickly.  Not snow friendly though.

Having 'cleaned' the traditional caches here I decided to try three I've been curious about in Chelmsford.  I used to live there so this was a return to old haunts.

It's only a short drive to Chelmsford.  Parking is off of Mill Rd at N 42° 34.642 W 071° 19.829.  There's a sign for the soccer field.  Drive past the fields to parking near the Russel Millpond.  The parking area does not seem to be plowed but was usable today, though icy.  There's a trailmap at the trail head that may be available online but I couldn't find it.  Study the map as there are many trails some of which meander hither and yon.

DLY #2 - Charlotte  - DNF.  This was about 0.25 miles in.  I walked on mixed snow/ice/clear trails then bushwacked to GZ encountering a white trail several times.  This seems to be popular with mountain bikes as there were MANY recent tire tracks.  Found GZ OK but DNF.  I found some boulders and trees that seemed promising but no cache.  It may be that the icy snow covered it.  I'll try again when the snow is gone.

Forrest Stump - DNF.  About another 0.3 miles in.  Similar experience bushwacking, white trail, icy snow covering a wall.  I'll revisit without snow.

Utility Pole Clue (updated)  - Found it.  SL/TNLN/TFTC.  I don't normally do multistage caches but this one was simple enough to be worth a show.  Found the GZ pole and got the number.  Did the math and went for it.  Got near and fortunately the cache was VERY visible and not snow covered.  This might be semi snow friendly.

Hiked out on tired legs and called it a day.  Nine finds, 2 DNF, 7 miles walking.  Good day.

Here's today's photo offering.  Some semi spoilers.  As usual click through to see full size.