Wil McCutcheon Presents - Giant's Head 'Volcano' EarthCache
Wil McCutcheon Presents - Giant's Head 'Volcano'
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West of Highway #97, in the heart of Summerland, BC, Canada, you’ll discover Giant’s Head Mountain.
A stalwart mound of rock, embedded peacefully along the southern shoreline of Lake Okanagan, this extinct composite/stratovolcano shares ‘family’ history with its cousins, Mt Boucherie in West Kelowna, Munson Mtn. in Penticton, and the ‘Marron Valley Volcano’ (see EarthCache – Marron Valley Volcano by geocacher, ‘One Bad Ant’).
Since its volcanic, ‘steamy’, adolescent days of youth (several million years ago), when the “…check out my vapour cloud, I’m spewing hydrogen sulphide! ...” look was in style, this big fiery youngster finally ‘blew-up’, leaving only the base of its cone as a final marker – Giants Head Mountain.
Ice-ages came and went, advancing south and retreating north. In time, during the Early Quaternary Period (beginning 1.6 million years ago), continental glaciers carved out our present valleys and wore down this and all other surrounding mountains to what they are today.
Over the past several thousand years, pine trees, birds, and bunch grass have established their roots, turning Giant’s Head into one of the most scenic parkland viewpoints within today’s Okanagan Valley.
The town of Summerland, maintains a paved narrow roadway from the gate (open during late spring to mid-fall, 08:00 – 21:00 daily) to the top parking area, leaving a 10 - 15 min. hike to the apex lookout.
The gate is located up from the intersection of College Rd. & Miln Rd. Simply follow Miln Rd up off Giant’s Head Rd.
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To log your visit and keep your smiley-face of success, please read & complete the following tasks!
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Also - ZOOM-IN a bit (on the map) to view the MysteryCache icon which is kinda hard to see with this EarthCache icon covering it.
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*** EMAIL - your answers ... don't post them online in your log. ***
1) Post up 1 picture of your GPSr, compass, I-phone, sextant (or whatever navigating aide you use regularly for caching) at the apex lookout with Lake Okanagan in the backdrop.
Please do not post close-up (armchair readable) pics of the plaques on the big-rock!
A picture including your and your caching-mates there would be perfect but not mandatory! If you are physically unable to make the trek up, simply take a pic at the following top parking coordinates N49 35.278 W119 40.197 and show the trail heading up from the pavement in the background.
2) Answer the following (at least try your best):
A] -
- Sprinkled all over the top (like dandruff on a giant head) are small but noticeable rock-mineral fragments.
What color are they (purple, white, pink, green, or black)? Please select only one color *** For those with physical challenges, these can be found at the upper parking but not nearly in as high concentration as easily seen at the look-out. Check along the trailhead. ***
B] -- What kind of rock-mineral fragments did you discover for question ‘A’ (quartz, feldspar, olivine, obsidian, or diamond)? Please select only one kind.
C] -- What special type of community ‘geocache’ is located beneath the huge boulder at the top and is described on the plaque affixed to it? According to the plaque, what date will it be opened?
D] -- According to the second plaque, what is being celebrated upon that date?
3) Do 1 other (or more) of the 'other caches' within/upon Giant's Head Mountain and share your fun experience here in your log! - This is more of a 'fun request' rather than a logging rule!
Share your exciting experiences doing these other caches.
I recommend trying the MysteryCache hosted by ‘The Famous Three’ at the top. It will set you up for doing other caches in the Trout Creek community area if you are passing through as an unfamiliar visitor to the South Okanagan.
There are a few interesting TraditionalCaches located along the road up/down including one just east of this lookout point.
Remember to 'HAVE FUN' and make the most of your experience here!!
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SPECIAL - CONGATS TO: - May 17, 2010 by thefamousthree - AS THE 05:30 ("We're NUTS!") FTF RIBBON BUSTERS!!
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Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Guvf vf cerggl qnea punyyratvat gb qb qhevat gur jvagre gvzr!
Treasures
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