Hidden Treasure in the Gold Country: The Best Kept Secret of the Georgetown Divide

Everyone loves a treasure hunt, and as you drive through the gold country of Georgetown Divide, you might think you have already found the treasure. That's true, the countryside here is a gem in its own right, and those of us who live in the Sierra Nevadas among the oaks and pines are blessed with gorgeous vistas, fresh air and a scarcity of traffic lights. But there's something else hidden in them thar hills - and it's not gold anymore.

The secret isn't a single place, thing or event - this secret is spread wide and far, has multiple opportunities for discovery and will bring the whole family into the hunt. The relatively new hobby of geocaching is a family-friendly activity that appeals to every age level and skill level.

Geocaching is a new form of treasure hunt. Someone places a cache consisting of a container holding a logbook and often, some objects of small or sometimes greater value. The mission is to find the container using the given coordinates and a GPS unit. When you locate the cache, you make a note in the logbook, take something from the container, and leave a token of your own before concealing the cache back in its place for the next treasure hunter to find.

It might seem as though it would be simple, almost cheating, to use the GPS coordinates to find the treasure, but the reality is not so straightforward. GPS will get you there, but will not pinpoint the precise location as though it were marked with the proverbial "X" - cache founders are often clever and resourceful, and might place the cache in a tricky or challenging place. There are caches for every skill level, and at the highest level of challenge, cache founders have been known to place the target in such situations as underwater or perched on cliff sides.

While the cache is indeed the focus, the hunt itself will bring you treasures you didn't expect - relaxing time with your family or spouse, a refreshing walk in the woods, a visit to an area of town you've never seen, exercise you might not otherwise have taken, and best of all, once you have your GPS unit, there are no fees or expenses required. Cache founders often place their container strategically to draw you to a specific destination - a hidden vista point where you can see into the valley for miles, a secret waterfall on an uncharted seasonal creek, or in more urban foothill environments, a historical Gold Country location that often goes unnoticed. Geocaching can easily be combined with other activities a family might be involved in, such as camping, hiking, and picnicking. It can even help break up a boring day of errands by offering caches hidden right in the middle of town.

Anyone can place a cache, and once the cache is in place the founder makes sure people know about it by registering the name and coordinates of the location online. Geocaching websites are great sources of information, cache lists, tips and hints to get you started on your next adventure. The Georgetown Divide is a superb area for geocachers, with infinite opportunities for adventure and an unsurpassed environment for recreation. Get in on the secret and take your family treasure hunting!