Quiet Quilchena Multi-cache
mtn-man: This was converted to a traditional cache so I am going to archive this original listing.
See cache GC1FEC9
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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An impressive waterfall awaits you after either a 7km or 1.5km hike.
We’ve heard about the existence of this waterfall for many years but were never able to find it. People gave us all sorts of well meaning but vague instructions help in the search but nothing was ever definitive enough to get us there. The funniest piece of advice was to “hike to the underpass under the highway and just follow your ears because you can surely hear it from there”. In reality, the water fall is 2.5km from there so unless it increases to the size of Niagara Falls during the spring run-off there is little chance of hearing it.
I tried using back road map books but that didn’t help my search much since all the back roads look the same. Finally, I knew a GPS was what I needed. It was the search for this water fall that got me to buy a GPS and subsequently got me interested in geocaching.
There are many ways to access this site, I’ll provide data for the two routes that I have used.
Private property
The falls are on land owned or leased by Douglas Lake Ranch for cattle grazing. Since this is private property the physical cache is hidden on public lands nearby. Both routes that I describe will take you through unlocked gates with private property signs on them. I make it a point to call the ranch and ask permission every time we enter. They have always been accommodating and have even sounded a little surprised that I was courteous enough to ask before entering… I guess many people don’t bother getting permission. They ask that you close any gate you open and they confirm that you are not using a motor cycle, ATV, or any other motor vehicle on their property. Cell phone reception is sporadic at the gate on approach route 1 and is excellent at the gate on approach route 2. Since the ranch is huge and has land holdings all over the area, the person on the phone may not know where you are asking to enter so be sure and tell them you want to go to Quilchina falls from the Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park side of their property. Do the right thing; ask permission, it’s easy. Douglas Lake Ranch: 250-350-3344
Approach route #1
Park at Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park and hike north along the gated road on the west side of Alleyne Lake. Once past the lake continue hiking along the same road until it passes under highway 97C. At this point the road turns sharply to the west before eventually turning back to a generally northward direction. Near Pothole Creek you will come to a junction with another road, go right and cross over the gated bridge that crosses the creek. A couple of hundred metres past the gated bridge there will be a rough road that leads off to the north east while the main road curves to the south east, take this rough road and stay on it. Soon you actually will hear the falls. This route is about 7km each way and is suitable for hiking or cycling.
Start: N49 54.616 W120 33.917
Q1: N49 54.616 W120 33.917
Q2: N49 54.725 W120 34.193
Q3: N49 55.654 W120 34.328
Q4: N49 56.518 W120 34.059
Q5: N49 56.706 W120 34.225
Q6: N49 57.151 W120 33.433
Q7: N49 57.424 W120 33.351
Q8: N49 57.420 W120 33.037
End: N49 57.591 W120 32.926
Approach route #2
From the Loon Lake road exit from Hwy 97C drive NW along Loon Lake Road parallel to the highway until you get to the junction where the Loon Lake Road (AKA Kentucky Road) passes under the highway. Continue straight (north) down the hill onto the Pothole Creek FSR. Follow the road for about 4km to where the road forks; take the left fork. After about another 6-7 Km there will be a new large road that turns off to the left and a small somewhat overgrown road that continues straight ahead, take the strait ahead road. As you continue along, the road passes through a meadow that is often filled with wild flowers and then comes to a gate; this is where you get out and walk (after asking permission of course). My waypints will take you down the road for about 1Km and then direct you off the road and down a grassy slope on a fairly direct route to the falls. If you wish you may stay on the road and walk an additional 1.4km and come out near the bridge over Pothole Creek described in approach route #1.
The road to the gate is suitable for a high ground clearance vehicle. I have never needed to engage 4WD. There is a section about 10 Km in that judging by the ruts could be a little muddy after a heavy rain. We’ve always found it to be baked hard or loose and dusty in the summer months.
Driving Route:
Exit: N49 53.106 W120 27.928
D1: N49 53.926 W120 29.354
D2: N49 54.998 W120 28.492
D3: N49 55.581 W120 28.400
D4: N49 56.144 W120 27.861
D5: N49 57.069 W120 27.893
D6: N49 57.553 W120 28.310
D7: N49 57.276 W120 29.451
D8: N49 57.423 W120 30.482
D9: N49 57.048 W120 31.261
Gate: N49 57.387 W120 32.030
Hiking Route:
Gate: N49 57.387 W120 32.030
H1: N49 57.567 W120 32.601
H2: N49 57.511 W120 32.737
H3: N49 57.528 W120 32.937
End: N49 57.591 W120 32.926
The Cache Location
Since the falls are on private property I have hidden the actual cache container at a nearby location. The cache container is easily accessible regardless of which of the two recommended approach routes you choose.
The listed coordinates are for the crest of the water fall (I’ll bet the base of the fall has the same coordinates but make sure you have a waterproof GPSr if you want to check)
To find the coordinates of the physical cache location go to N49° 57.579 W120° 32.939 where you will see a large tree with a distinctive lean. Determine which direction this tree leans and use this to find the value “A” based on this conversion table:
Lean direction
North = 2
East = 3
South = 4
West = 5
A=____________
Near the base of the tree is a very distinctive stone finger about 1m long. Determine which direction this finger points and use this to find the value “B” based on this conversion table:
Finger direction
North = 6
East = 7
South = 8
West = 9
B=____________
Once you have collected the required information, complete these calculations to find the Physical cache coordinates.
C = B – A – 1 = __________
D = A + B = __________
E = B – A – 3 = __________
F = B – 1 = __________
Now put it all together for the coordinate using this format:
N49° 54.CDF
W120° 34.CFE
I hope you enjoy your visit to Quilchena falls as much as we always do. If you are adventurous there is a steep trail that leads down to the bottom of the falls and the view back up from there is spectacular.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Oruvaq 1z fgbar