Making Sense of the World…Pollinator Style
Quest Materials
Quest Information
Welcome to Palmer State Park! Your quest will take you on a geocaching scavenger hunt along some recently completed trails. You will be locating 8 puzzle pieces, placed in geocache boxes along the Iron Works Trail. Each puzzle piece will contain information about the world of pollinators as well as the coordinates for the next geocache location.
Please note: The geocache boxes should be easily seen from the trail. You will not have to climb up and down embankments or hazards to reach them.
Directions:
- You will be following the yellow blaze, Iron Works Trail. This trail is 2.7 miles long and is moderate in difficulty. On this trail, you will walk by a beautiful tributary of Deer Creek and get into more dense forest with some nice hills to climb. The Iron Works Trail is a “U” shaped extension of the Hornbeam Trail (White). To hike the Iron Works Trail you will first begin on the Hornbeam Trail and follow it until you reach the one end of the Iron Works Trail. See the included map for more information.
- Now that you are ready to hike, the first geocache is located at:
N 39* 37’10”, W 76* 16’40” (You can download a free coordinate finding app or simply use the compass option on your phone. Just make sure that your device is set to list the coordinates as DMs.) Hint: To find this first geocache, head to the right when you start the Hornbeam Trail. - You should see a small plastic box with the Park Quest logo. Inside the box will be a puzzle piece. Take the puzzle piece with you, but please only 1 piece per family. This piece will have some fun facts about pollinators and how they use their different senses, as well as your next coordinates. Follow the trail until you find your next puzzle piece.
- Also, inside the box will be a small notebook with a question. If you have time, read the question inside and jot down your response.
- You should end with 8 puzzle pieces total. Have a great day and enjoy your hike at Palmer State Park.
Any problems, questions, or concerns? Reach out via e-mail at:
angela.pease@maryland.gov
Additional details:
- Quest will be available May 1 through Oct 30.
- Park hours are from sunrise to sunset.
- No entrance fee.
- The parking lot may be crowded on weekends, so weekdays are recommended.
- Trail begins in the trailhead parking lot at Palmer State Park. 3209 Forge Hill Road, Street, MD.
- The quest should be able to be completed in 1 ½-2 hours.
- Hike is 2.7 miles round trip.
- The trail is not accessible by stroller or wheelchair.
- Pets on a leash are permitted.
Park Information
Under an unbroken canopy of second-growth and riparian forests, two miles of scenic Deer Creek runs through the 555-acre Palmer State Park. Historic sites can be found along the creek banks, and native flora and fauna thrive in the forested habitat. Though the park is less than 20 minutes from the town of Bel Air, nature enthusiasts and historians alike will appreciate the recreational opportunities at Palmer State Park.
Address: 3209 Forge Hill Road, Street, Md
Contact number: 410-557-7994
Driving directions
From US-1 N (Hickory Bypass) in Street, Md, turn right onto Trappe Road. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Forge Hill Road. Parking lot is on the left.
