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Ebey Prairie EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

Perky: I am archiving this cache because they have taken out the kiosk that had the information on them. Stop by again a few weeks ago and they are not replaced. I am starting to get complains about how long it's been down so letting it go but what a great spot this is.

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Hidden : 6/5/2008
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


The basin of Ebey’s Prairie is the remains of a prehistoric lake bed. The prairie was once giant lake beds, formed over 13,000 years ago by the receding glaciers. It is defined by ridges that embrace the rich fertile soils, an especially valuable resource to Whidbey Island. As the glaciers receded it left a large marshland. With ground water of Whidbey Island being very low the water supply to the marshland was limited. The marshland was limited on rain fall to the area because of the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. Over time the marshland slowly filled in with silt from the decay of surrounding plants the marshland slowly disappeared leaving behind very dark rich soil. Indigenous people actively tended the Ebey’s Prairie ecosystem to maintain and encourage certain resources. In addition to setting fires regularly to keep the prairie open. So over time this prairie land has when with very little change since settlers came to the are. Today this rich prairie land provides very dark fertile land that is still cultivated today and to is hard to believe was once a huge lake area.

To log this earth cache requires the following information that can be obtained from the kiosk at the giving coordinates:

1. To your log please post a picture of yourself and/or your group to the log page.

2. From the kiosk tell how much rain the area receives a year? It is one of the reasons why the lake and marshland slowly disappeared.

3. From the kiosk tell how many trees were cut down to form this prairie land?

Do not wait to post your log. Do not put any answers or hints in your online log. If email is not received in one week your online log will be deleted.

I hope you have as much fun as I did visiting the area.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)