Geocaching in Seattle
By: Kailey Ulland, FIUTS Community Programs Assistant
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get out and explore with Geocaching
Many people have visited the famous gum wall at Pike Place Market, but how many people found the secret treasure hidden there? Most likely, not too many. The few who did were a part of a fun, global community of adventure seekers: they were Geocaching!
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is a real-life, global treasure hunt. Members have hidden caches (think mini-treasure chests) around the world for other people to find using GPS coordinates. There are official caches hidden in cities, beaches and on mountain trails all over the world. It is a quest born from the combination of tech and adventure. Naturally, the headquarters are right here in Seattle! (Hint: there might even be a Geocache hiding at HQ) Geocaching is a fun way to get outside, test your wit and explore a city in a new way. The best part? You can get going in 3 easy steps.
How Can I Get Started?
You do not have to use a compass, but you could!
Photo by Anastasia Petrova - Unsplash.
1. Make a FREE Geocaching account.
A geocaching account can be created online or in the app. The account is free and grants the member access to millions of cache locations world-wide. There are also community discussions and blog posts about challenges and secret caches for explorers of all levels. Think of the account as access to all the treasure maps in the world!
2. Find a cache nearby.
Did you know that there are over 3,000 caches and challenges in the Seattle area? When the app is open, these caches will show on the map. To begin, select one cache that is nearby. Bring a pen and use the app to navigate towards the coordinates. The cache is usually hidden from plain sight so once the coordinates are reached, be sure to look carefully. Some caches even require solving a riddle.
Use the GPS coordinates on your phone to find the cache. Photo by Markus Spiske -Unsplash.
An official Geocaching Logbook.
Photo by Martin Losak - Unsplash.
3. Log the experience.
Congratulations! You have found your first geocache! Inside the cache should be a logbook that needs to be signed and dated. There may also be “trackables” or SWAG inside the cache that can be traded. After a proper celebration, leave the cache exactly how it was found and keep exploring!
Ready for More?
Check out these parks and neighborhoods in Seattle and see how many Geocaches you and your friends can log in a day. Good luck!
Green Lake – Several caches can be found along the 2.8-mile loop around the lake.
Some caches here require following clues!
Fremont – Besides the Geocaching HQ, more caches can be found in “the Center of the Universe”.
Maybe the Troll is hiding something?
Seward Park – This beautiful park at the south end of Lake Washington has a few caches hidden in the woodsy trails. Bring a picnic and enjoy the adventure.