If you want to know the conditions at any given time at this cache site, please visit this link: http://visiwisp.lyttonnet.com/app/camcon.php
This webcam overlooks the cache site and updates every 5 min during daylight hours, when you seek the cache you are being watched, so wave at the camera
Botanie Mountain Lookout Cache is located at the 6550 ft level on Botanie Mountain. The mountain is located to the North East of Lytton, BC and can be accessed via the Botanie Valley Rd Which heads East just past the new bridge which crosses the Thompson River and replaces the old one lane metal bridge.
View to the West across the Fraser River Valley View toward Lytton and the Fraser Canyon
The mountain top was used originally to receive television signals from Kamloops and redirect them to the town of Lytton and up to Lillooet as there was no television in either of these communities, evidence of that use is still present today, however I do not believe there is much need for redirecting these signals with the advent of satellite television.
There is a Forestry lookout near the cache location, and the mountain top is the site of several communications towers and is an important link in the communications of the RCMP, Emergency Services and others.
My first visit to this lookout and location was back in 1987 at which time I determined it would make a great location for a Ham Radio repeater. The following year I, along with several other fellows installed the radio's, antenna's and other necessary equipment. The site served the Fraser Canyon and as far north as Lillooet for many years, however it is not operational at the present time due to vandalism.
The valley floor below was the location of the very first farming of Ginseng in the Province, the owner of the property was a chap from Langley, who I believe was in the jewelry business as well. This farm no longer grows Ginseng and I don't believe there is any currently being grown anywhere in the Botanie Valley.
There are rattlesnakes in this part of the country, however in all of the time I have spent in the valley, I only encountered one, my kids and dog roamed around with very little fear for their safety, so although it is not a major concern it is wise to be aware they might be encountered.
I have driven right to the cache site many times in the past, however since no-one is using the lookout, and servicing of the radio equipment on these types of locations is now done mainly by helicopter the road has deteriorated significantly, not that it was ever very good. You can still drive to the cache site, however you must have good ground clearance and a 4 x 4 with good tires.
The cache is an Ammo Box painted camo with the geocaching info sticker on the outside. When placed the cache contained the following: Tape measure, small tool kit, first aid kit, emergency blanket, matches in a waterproof container, fire starter, flashlight, logbook with 2 pencils and sharpener. There is a FTF certificate for the first to make the trip up to this cache.
Please if you are trading items, trade equally or not at all.
Of very great importance once you have gotten to this cache site, is the respect due the communications equipment located on this mountain top, take all the pictures you want, spend as much time as you want, but please do not touch or tamper with any of the equipment located here.