West Point Inn Earthcache EarthCache
West Point Inn Earthcache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(other)
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This earthcache will take you to the south side of Mt Tamalpais (Mt
Tam) and will involve you learning some of the geology of Mt Tam,
some simple math, projecting a waypoint from the listed cache coordinates (will your GPSr do
this for you?) which will then take you on a 3/4mile walk to a
nearby geological location.
It is thought that the formation of Mt Tam and its surrounding hills and valleys are a result of the Farallon Plate being subducted under the North American Plate with the resulting scrapping and stacking of material against the North American Plate forming the Californian Coastal ranges. As a result, Mt Tam has many types of rocks and minerals. Greywacke, Siltstone, Chert, Greenstone, Quartz – tourmaline, Breccia, Serpentinite, Soapstone, Chromite, Crystals of Quartz, Crystals of Adularia, Crystals of Calcite, to name some.
The formation of these hills has been described in a few nearby Earthcaches and I recommend you research them and make the visit.
THE RULES
This is an Earthcache so therefore there is no physical cache to find. Please adhere to the earthcache guidelines of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, use the established trails, collect photos and memories and NOT samples, no rock climbing. Please be respectful of your surroundings.
Mt. Tamalpais is a unique natural and scenic wonder.
The area you will be hiking in is managed by the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). Please visit the MMWD website (visit link) for more for rules, regulation and other information about the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed and the important role that MMWD plays in this environment.
GETTING THERE
The best and easiest approach for this cache is from either Pantoll Ranger Station or Bootjack Picnic Area, both located in Mt Tam State Park. Please note there is a fee to park at these locations. Alternatively, there are many other trails that will get you to West Point Inn. Refer to the MMWD maps. (visit link)
WEST POINT INN
The above coordinates will place you on the stair landing in front of West Point Inn. West Point Inn, is the only surviving structure of the world famous Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais Scenic Railway or better known as the "Crookedest Railroad in the World". The Inn was built in 1904 by the railroad as a restaurant and stopover for passengers making connections with the stagecoach to Willow Camp (Stinson Beach) and Bolinas. If you time it right, look out for the Pancake breakfast held only a few times a year at the Inn. Make time to enjoy the view from West Point Inn which includes much of the East Bay, parts of San Francisco, the Marin Headlands, one tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, and out over the Pacific Ocean.
THE TASK
From the listed coordinates, go up the stairs and look left. On the wall you will see a display box with all the info you need. Take the time to study the information and do not leave until you think you have what you need. There are some tables and chairs nearby to rest, relax and makes notes. To obtain the Projected Waypoint , with will need to calculate the bearing and the distance.
Bearing = earth's lithosphere smaller (thinness) outer layer (xx) MULTIPIED BY
The number of plate boundaries that earthquakes occur (x) MINUS
the number of large pieces in the earth's lithosphere (x) =
??? degrees.
Distance = the year the Franciscan Rocks was first described (xxxx) PLUS
the amount of kilometers the Farallon Plate scrapings extended the North American plate westward (xxx) PLUS
32=
????.87 ft.
Now you have the bearing and distance, apply that to the coordinates you already have for this earthcache (ie: N 37°54.992 W 122° 35.627) and off you go to the Projected Waypoint which is the final location.
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
To log this earthcache, please send the cache owner the answers to the following 4 questions.
1. Looking up the hill, and given that you are now an expert in Mt Tam geology, name the material that is exposed?
2. This material appears to be in a narrow band that runs vertically up the mountain side from Projected Waypoint. How wide (approximate in feet) is this band of material at this elevation? For an additional perspective refer to a satellite image of the area to see it overall length.
3. Take a picture of yourself and/or your gpsr at the projection coordinates with the feature in the background (optional) OR alternatively, email the numbers from the lower metal badge on the small wooden post at the offset coordinates OR both.
4. Describe the material as you see it. What is the prominent color? Are there any other colors in it? Describe the surface? Is it uniform in texture and transparency?
Why do you think there is a general lack of vegetation in the material compared to the adjacent areas?
RESOURCES
West Point Inn Website
Marin Municiupal Water District Website
GC10J2V - The Pillows of Point Bonita Earthcache (visit link)
GC1ATB8 - Turtle Rock Earthcache (visit link)
Thanks for visiting this earthcache. I hope you enjoyed it. I would like to thank both MMWD and West Point Inn for their permission and assistance in placing this earthcache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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