Now lets take a look at one of the cache details pages.  After typing in your zip code into the top right box of www.geocaching.com, click on the names of one the caches.

This is the "home page" for the cache and will provide you will all the information you need to make a decision about the if this is an appropriate cache and how to find it.  The cache "owner", the person that hid it and maintains it, will leave more information about cache. You can usually find the purpose of the cache, the type of container you are looking for,  clues on how to get to it, and maybe even a few pictures.  This page should be printed and brought with you while out looking for the cache.

The cache type icon, cache name, and the owner of the cache  it listed at the top of the page.  Next comes the location of the cache in WGS-84 MinDec format for use with your GPS unit.  Because we have the WGS-84 MinDec format, we can ignore the UTM format listed.  There is also an indication of how far and in what direction this cache is from the search location.

For those that have the ability to download cache information and location coordinates to their GPS units, there are two formats available to download. 

On the right hand side of the screen you may find an Attributes box which will list additional informational icons about the cache that will be useful in your decision making process.  Hold your mouse over one of these icons to interpret its meaning.  From the example on the right we can see that our example cache is not appropriate for strollers or dogs, has parking, is kid friendly, is accessible in the winter, should take less than an hour, and has parking nearby.

Also shown on the right hand side of the screen is the Inventory box.  If there are any trackable special items currently in the cache, they will be listed here.  You can click on the name of the special item to find out more about it, where it came from, and where it has been since. 

Some cache owners will also provide additional hints if you get stuck.  These hints are encrypted using the key on the right side of the page.  If  you bring a printed sheet with you, you can use them in a pinch.  You should always try to find the cache first, before using the hints.

The last section of a cache page logs the visits of others to the cache.  Please be careful in reading this logs as sometimes you will find "spoilers" - details about how to find the cache that you would not have normally had before looking for it.  Part of the adventure of Geocaching is the hunt for the cache.  If you know exactly how to find it before leaving your house, where is the fun in it?