Night Critters Multi-Cache

For those who love to hike at night! A two-mile night cache through the meadows and woods of the River Bend Nature Area. The area closes at 10, so start by 8 to have plenty of time. The terrain varies from gravel road to mowed grassy areas to brushy woods. In several trail-less sections some moderate bushwhacking is required. Keep an eye out for fallen limbs, holes, and critters of all sorts, especially the huge furry kind!

Night Critters

Why, oh why didn't I warn my friend about the Goat Man? Sure, he probably would have laughed at me and gone anyway, but maybe not.

As a wildlife biologist from the Pacific Northwest specializing in nocturnal creatures, my old college buddy Dave is definitely not afraid of the woods at night, and I doubt he would have let stories of a mysterious goat-man keep him from completing his survey of native Texas nocturnal animals at the River Bend Nature Area. Then again, these aren't just stories. Folks who've grown up in Fort Worth know all about the "Lake Worth Monster." Ever since the summer of 1969, when local newspapers reported numerous encounters with a "large whitish-gray and hairy" creature covered with fur and scales, the "Goat Man" has been spotted multiple times around Lake Worth, especially along the Trinity River where it flows through YMCA's Camp Carter, just upstream from the River Bend Nature Area. For years, countless campers there have sighted him, always at night. Some people think he's some sort of Sasquatch, a so-called "Bigfoot." Personally, I've never believed in stuff like that. But with Dave going out there alone, at night, I should have at least mentioned it to him. If only I had known...

Dave left for the nature area last night after sunset. Although it closes to the public at 10 p.m., he had special permission to spend several nights in the woods while completing his wildlife census. I had planned to join him this weekend when I get back to town, but something has happened. I just listened to a strange, frantic message he left on my phone sometime late last night. I can hardly tell what he's saying. It sounds like he's running through thick foliage, panting hard and trying to speak in a whisper at the same time. All I can make out for sure are the words, "huge, shaggy, creature," "chasing," and "come," then the message ends. I think he's in danger and needs immediate help!

I'm rushing to get back to Fort Worth, but will not arrive until very late tonight. My fellow geocachers, can you please help? Please get to the nature area as soon as possible and help my friend! He left written directions so I could find him this weekend. These directions can only be followed at night, as he marked a trail using small reflectors that can't easily be seen by day. Here's the note he sent me earlier:

Thanks again, my friend, for your hospitality during my visit to Texas. As you know, I've spent the last few days scouting out the terrain at River Bend and will hike in this evening to begin my extended stay while completing my night-critter census. I'm looking forward to having you join me in a few days when you get back to town. I'll blaze a trail so you can find me at night. Here's how:

Park near the gate on Hidden Road, located at: N 32° 45.030, W 97° 23.464. [Don't worry about the "Private Road" sign, which simply pertains to maintenance. This is a publicly-accessible road to a public park.] Just inside the gate, the gravel road splits three ways. Take the middle (high) road roughly westward. In 230 yards, take the road to the left, heading southwest. After 100 yards, it curves right, heading northwest. After another 130 yards, follow the branch that forks off downhill to the left. At the bottom of the hill you will be at N 32° 45.069, W 97° 23.715.

From this location, shine your flashlight to the southwest, where you should spot a small reflective marker. (These markers may be easier to see if you hold your flashlight against the side of your face at eye-level.) From that marker, you should be able to spot the next one. Follow the trail of markers. Eventually, they will direct you sharply to the left, down a hill, underneath something, then down to the side of a creek. Continue to follow the reflectors along the creek until they lead you into the woods. There are no "trails" back here, but I'll try to avoid most of the thorns and poison ivy. Still, be sure to wear long pants and good hiking shoes. Also, carry water and a snake-scaring stick. (I've not seen any snakes out here yet, but I'm hoping to count many!)

Follow the markers through the brush until you notice an evergreen tree with reddish markers near the base, where I will be waiting for you. If I am not there, I will leave a note for you hidden in a log near the evergreen tree. (I usually use amber reflectors to mark the way into an area, and round white ones to mark the way out.)

See you soon! Dave