Heart Creek - The Source Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Have you ever wondered about the remarkably consistent water flow in Heart Creek (other than during runoff)? Have you ever wondered about the area above the falls? The journey to this cache will provide some answers to those questions as well as introduce you to the interesting upper canyon of Heart Creek. The distance from the main Heart Creek recreational Area parking lot to the “source” is approximately 2.5 kms with an elevation gain of 140 meters.
The authorities have been trying for many years to discourage parking in the ditch by Heart Creek for environmental reasons. I respect this and always use the main parking lot that is accessible by both east and westbound traffic on the TCHwy via the Lac Des Arcs Interchange. The short 0.8 km walk over to the start of the Heart Creek Canyon makes for a pleasant warm up. To get to the source, first hike to the end of the formal trail at the falls near Leah’s memorial bench (one of two in this area dedicated to her memory). The main Heart Creek Falls are impossible to see without getting wet because they are around a couple of bends in a narrow water filled canyon.
The scramble to get above the falls is a more serious endevour so please use extreme caution. First, turn around and go back down the main trail for 20 or so meters and turn left (west) into a side valley. This is close to another cache (GCHC8F) so grab it if you haven’t in the past. Follow a narrow informal trail up the side valley for another 20-30 meters to the first obvious steep erosion gully on your left. Start up the gully but only stay in it for a few meters until you can get on another trail that goes up along the right side of the gully in the trees. Once over the top of the bank take well-worn descending tracks that deliver you to the creek bed immediately above the falls (see photos). These tracks follow the tops of the cliffs but a screen of trees provides protection. You might want to take a scrambling rope to help in the descent on your return trip. I had one with me but did not use it. I strongly advise that the gully not be used as a descent route, stay in the trees.
The source is now only a few hundred meters up the creek, although several easy crossings will be required. It is a spring that rises out of a large mossy area on the east side of the main valley. Although it is attractive in winter it is beautiful on a hot summer day, cool and shady with mosses in many shades of green surrounded by impressive fir trees. The canyon above the spring is usually dry except during runoff periods. If you continue on for a short distance you will come to a section of slot canyons that are a lot of fun to explore but a rope is required to get into and out of these canyons. This valley is often used as part of an alternate descent route from the summit of Heart Mtn. You head south from the summit to get around a bunch of slabs and down a long scree slope with one scary (to me) ledge at the bottom. Below the ledge you are quickly into the trees and shortly thereafter arrive at the valley bottom about 1.0 km past the slot canyons.
The cache is an ammo can that initially contained some good swag as well as a $5.00 FTF prize. Have fun, be careful and stay away from the lip of the falls.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre gur fghzc raq bs n ynetr snyyra gerr (frr fcbvyre)