THE TOWN:
In 1848 Yale became a Hudson's Bay Fort named for James Yale, an officer in charge of Fort Langley. When, in 1858, gold was discovered on Hill's Bar, just south of town, the population exploded. Hill's Bar was the site of the very first gold found in British Columbia. Yale's population grew to 30,000 in 1858 but totals about 200 people today.
Yale became the end of the line for the Fraser River sternwheelers delivering men and supplies during the gold rush era and the start of the Cariboo Wagon Road to the goldfields.
Yale lends its name to (Old) Yale Road in the Fraser Valley, electorial districts, a Land Title's District covering huge areas of BC and other sites as well.
THE CEMETERY:
The Pioneer Cemetery is located south of Yale and was founded during the 1958 Gold Rush. There are very old headstones dating back to 1862, with burials continuing today (though with only a few hundred people in town these are few and far between). Pioneer Cemetery is promoted by Tourism BC as one of the top tourist attractions in Yale, along with the Museum and St. John the Divine Church. During Saturday evenings throughout August volunteers from the Yale Museum offer guided lantern tours of Pioneer Cemetery. The museum has more information for self guided tours.
THE CACHE:
A small lock-in-lock about the size of two decks of cards stacked up. The cache is painted green and concealed.
INTERESTING TOMBSTONES/PERSONS:
Take a look in the South East Corner (bottom of the hill, right side) for the grave of William McKenzie who, after a difficult life in the frontier town of Yale died at age 98! His almost as elderly wife is buried just above William. There are many other interesting tombstones including a WWI solders closer to the top. Look for the wooden markers as well.
SPIRIT CAVES TRAIL
The Spirit Caves Trailhead is located immediately across the highway from Pioneer Cemetery, and since this is the BC Spirit Quest, we could not resist a mention.
This 5 km (3 miles) medium to strenuous hike takes you up to a point where there is a spectacular viewpoint towards Yale and the Fraser River. Expect to take around 3 hours round trip on this steep switchback trail. Remember in the spring there are ticks present so please dress accordingly. The entrance to the caves at the summit is well hidden with a large pile of boulders. Spirit Caves - TrailPeak.com
We have not looked for it, but there is a cache in the Spirit Caves – which we assume you need caving experience and equipment to get to.
THE RULES:
1. Be sensitive that this is a very historic site.
2. Don’t cache in the unlikely event there is a funeral in progress.
3. Leave the area better than you found it. CITO.
4. Don’t post written or photo spoilers
5. Help create a good reputation for Geocaching so that we can continue to use these interesting locations.
THE SERIES:
Please do not use the BC Spirit Quest name without our consent. Never hide a cache in any cemetery without specific permission. Credit for the idea to SixDogTeam, Half-Canadian and the other Spirit Quest series hiders. Thank-you and enjoy the history.