A Tank In The Park EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Congratulations to srladybug for the FTL (first to log)!
This Earthcache is within the White Tanks Regional Park. An entrance fee will be required. There will be no reason to leave the designated trail, so please stay on it. As always, obey all of the Park rules and regulations.
Much of the Park is composed of the rugged White Tank Mountains. The White Tanks are named for the natural water pools found in shaded canyons. In western frontier parlance, a ‘tank’ was a natural water hole that could be depended on to hold water most of the time, even when the creeks and streams weren’t flowing. These natural tanks were (and are) an important resource for wildlife, the Hohokam Indians, and the early European settlers. This Earthcache will take you to one of the more accessible examples of these tanks.
Parking is at N33 35.385, W112 30.450. From here follow the Waterfall Trail to the Earthcache. The trail is paved for part of the way and is a fairly easy walk. Remember, however, that this is a desert hike and come prepared. Bring water and well constructed shoes. Most of the vegetation has either thorns or needles and should not be handled. Never place your hand where you cannot see it, as poisonous snakes, scorpions, and other dangerous animals are found here.
Along the trail, you will pass examples of Hohokam Petroglyphs. These petroglyphs may be up to 10,000 years old. Look and take pictures but do not touch, as the natural oils of your skin can harm them. The Park particularly asks that “Please do not try to make "tombstone rubbings" of the petroglyphs. It doesn’t work at all and you will erode the dark areas, making the petroglyph dimmer.”
*DANGER!!* Do not enter the canyons or stream beds if it is raining or if the streams contain fast flowing water. The area is subject to flash floods.
The Earthcache is located at the base of a waterfall. This waterfall is only active during and immediately after a rainfall event. Toads and other aquatic creatures are sometimes found in the tank pools. Please leave them alone – life is tough enough in the desert without us adding to it!
Please take and post a picture of yourself and your GPS with the Waterfall Canyon in the background. This is optional but encouraged.
In order to log this Earthcache, you will need to do the following:
1) Email the answers to 2) through 5) to the cache owner.
2) Examine the rocks around the tank and the stream bed. Do you see a difference between their appearance and those of the rock higher on the canyon wall? What is it? Any ideas why is it?
3) Make a note of how much water is in the stream immediately below the waterfall (none – damp – trickle – seeping – flowing – flowing fast – flooding – etc.) and both email the cache owner and post in your log.
4) Go to www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KLUF and record how much precipitation occurred on the day of your visit and on the previous day. Email the cache owner and post in your log.
5) How does the stream flow relate to the precipitation?
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)