Geocaching

Geocaching Adventure in County Parks!

The eleventh annual Washtenaw County Parks Geocaching Adventure is out there! This exciting outdoors event kicks off with all-new geocaching locations to explore at various WCPARC parks and preserves.

Ready, Set ... Cache!!

WCPARC has hidden eight brand-new, family-friendly caches in select parks and preserves all over Washtenaw County. Each cache container will feature two code words that geocachers must note. Once all eight Geocaching Adventure caches have been found, a geocacher submits the list of code words to WCPARC as proof of successful completion.

All cachers who successfully find all Geocaching Adventure locations and submit the correct code words will receive a Washtenaw County Parks Geocaching Adventure pathtag. WCPARC offers a challenge: the first geocacher to complete the entire series - including finding the special Challenge Cache - and correctly submit the list of code words plus a photo of the Challenge Cache will receive a special "Hotaling First to Find" prize.

2022 Caches

The following is a list of the geocache locations and numbers for the 2022 caches:

2022 Geocaching Adventure Locations

LocationNumber
Sharon Mills County ParkGC9X08W
Pierce Lake Golf CourseGC9X092
Independence Lake County ParkGC9X098
Border to Border Trail (Dexter to Ann Arbor)GC9X09J
Meyer PreserveGC9X09V
Dominican Meadows PreserveGC9X0A2
Harwood Heritage PreserveGC9X0A9
Brauer PreserveGC9X0AE
Challenge CacheGC9X0AJ

Completed

Once you have completed the eleventh annual Geocaching Adventure, please submit your list of code words by emailing Hannah Cooley or through the geocaching website for further instructions on how to receive your commemorative pathtag.

2021 Caches

The following is a list of the geocache locations and numbers for the 2021 caches:

2021 Geocaching Adventure Locations

Location Number
Leonard Preserve GC9CTHG
Staebler Farm County Park GC9CTHR
Park Lyndon - South GC9CTJ3
Baker Woods Preserve GC9CTJA
DeVine Preserve GC9CTJM
Kosch-Headwaters Preserve GC9CTJV
Northfield Woods Preserve GC9CTK0
Miller-Smith Preserve GC9CTK3
Challenge Cache
GC9CTQ1

Completed

Once you have completed the tenth annual Geocaching Adventure, please submit your list of code words by emailing Hannah Cooley or through the geocaching website for further instructions on how to receive your commemorative pathtag.

New to Geocaching? Need a Refresher?

If you are new to geocaching, please visit the geocaching website and sign up for a free membership. The membership will allow you to participate in the WCPARC Geocaching Adventure. The geocaching website provides geocachers with all they need to know in order to begin searching for caches.

The only supplies required to begin searching are GPS handheld unit or a Smart Phone equipped with a geocaching application and a great sense of adventure. To find one of our caches, simply type its geocaching code number (e.g. GC2X4BH) into the search field on the geocaching website. From there you'll be guided to a web page specifically created for that cache. The page will include a description of the Geocaching Adventure, a short description of the park or preserve in which you'll find the cache, a hint (if you need it) to more easily find the cache, and the coordinates at which the cache is located.

Questions?

Questions about the geocaches themselves can be submitted through the contact link listed on the geocaching website for the individual geocaches listed.

About the "Hotaling First to Find"

Ana Hotaling - photoAna Hotaling started the Washtenaw County Parks Geocaching Program in 2010. In 2021, and in honor of the 10th anniversary of the program, the "First to Find" prize, was renamed as the "Hotaling First to Find" in recognition of her volunteerism and contribution to the program.

Ana Hotaling’s love of the outdoors dates back to a childhood spent climbing trees, collecting rocks, exploring the woods near her home, and going on hikes with her uncle. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Ana spent two seasons as a National Park Ranger in Yellowstone, assisting visitors as they discovered the natural wonders around them. As a WCPARC volunteer, Ana encouraged people to visit and explore county parks and preserves through the annual Geocaching Adventure she developed and implemented. These days, in addition to hiking and geocaching, Ana spends her free time cosplaying, running, competing in triathlons, and trying to convince her four sons to spend some time outdoors.