Wil McCutcheon presents – Mt. Boucherie ‘Volcano’ EarthCache
Wil McCutcheon presents – Mt. Boucherie ‘Volcano’
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Travel between Kelowna and Peachland, along Highway #97, through British Columbia’s – Central Okanagan Valley and you’ll skirt the remnant base of an ancient volcano, located smack in the middle of West Kelowna (formerly named ‘Westbank’).
Hwy 97 navigates you around the N facing profile of Mt. Boucherie, the 757m (2484ft.) high remains of a composite volcanic complex that once stood over 2000m (6562ft.), 50+ million years ago (Tertiary Period), and had a massive base that dome-encompassed the entire area between (fanning approximately 15-20k(9-12miles) outwards from centre) Peachland, Layer Cake Mtn./Gallagher’s Canyon, Mount Last, and the Kelowna Airport.
Today it sleeps as a quiet ‘rock-giant’ in the middle of suburbia, flanked by vineyards & wineries (grape farming is greatly enhanced by mineral-rich volcanic soil), but dacite statues of its once fierce and hellish fury remain up-thrust and solidified upon its surface like the broken stumps of a felled demon’s horns.
The dark grey/black columnar features are the remaining magma casts from volcanic moulds (lava flow portals). There are two large columnar wall clusters exposed at the east and west points of Mt. Boucherie. You can view these features with binoculars from the foot of the mountain. Smaller columnar dacite rock formations are found atop. Each ‘pipe’ stump was once an individual lava-feeder that intruded through the older magma layers and contributed to the final expansion of the towering volcanic cone of the Early Tertiary. To accomplish this EarthCache, you will be required to hike up to the top to one of these in particular in order to answer a simple qualifying question. From there you can walk up a bit further to another columnar group and view-point in order to acquire some very cool pictures of your triumphant, volcano-conquering quest!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Terrain/toughness ratings are fairly open to ones own perpsective. I was going to mark this hike as a 3-star however, with our Okanagan summer conditions, many visitors may find the arid experience to be fairly intense.
Also, there is a general concern regarding rattlers and ticks between April and October. Many families from outside the area (ie. the Fraser Valley/West Coast - where I myself originated) have little or no familiarity with rattlers, black widow spiders and, although they have ticks (soft bodied) too, theirs are not nearly as prolific during a hike. There one can pretty much cruise through the hills w/o worry about checking your head later nor where to put your hands and feet whilst hiking due to a hyper-sensitive snake!
If you don't hike much, consider doing this one during the shoulder seasons for a 2.5 - 3-star experience. During the summer bring extra water and consider using a walking/probing stick. As well, keep to the trail, avoiding the long grasses and low hanging underbrush to avoid being a 'tick-magnet'! Always perform a post-hike tick check for all members including your pets whenever out and about in the local Thompson, Okanagan, Kootenay, and Similkameen areas of British Columbia. **
FINDING THE TRAILHEAD:
From the Kelowna side (or from Peachland), enter the city of West Kelowna. Access Boucherie Rd. directly from Hwy97 and head south-west. (R) on Rumney Rd., then (L) on Guidi Rd., and (R) on Trevor Drive. Finally, head (L) on Lakeview Cove Rd. as it continues curving (R). Access the Eain Lamont Park and prepare for your journey on foot!
** Boucherie road can be accessed from either the west, east, or north side of Mt. Boucherie don’t hesitate to find a different route to and from this area in order to further enjoy the local surroundings! **
There is an interpretive sign at Eain Lamont Park enterance. Follow the well-defined path to the left and remain on it as it continues uphill more at a gradual rate of climb. Eventually it splits. You will angle north towards the mountain following a short ‘step’ up just beyond a large circular cement structure as well as a square foundation. From here the trail narrows, although still very well defined, and heads north-bound up the mountainside. The first of a series of interesting traditional caches is not far ahead.
----------------------------------------------------------------
*** To acquire & maintain your smiley (No Geology background required!):
Please answer the following 3 field study questions:
a) - There is an outcrop of grey/black columnar dacite near the top at coordinates N49 51.339 W119 34.281 . This is found alongside the pathway (just to the left side, heading up) that takes you to the Eastern peak so don’t worry about having to search hard for it via any bush-wacking! This particular outcrop sits on an angle and has a prominent sharp 'point' at its top shoulder. What is the general direction this sun-dial like feature ‘points up’ towards? (It will be the opposite direction to which the column leans.) Use Hwy97 as a general directional reference.
b) - What is the average thickness (width) of the small individual columns found within the outcrops at the top?
c) - How many (average) flat sides do the broken off individual rock column segments have? Check the broken cross sections up close!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Your visit to the top of this mountain marks a special accomplishment!
*** Proudly post-up a geo-picture of yourself, (and/or) your geocache-crew, or just your GPS, or your dog, or perhaps a TravelBug to mark this occasion. ***
At/from the coordinates N49 51.353 W119 34.247 (in layman's terms,-at the top)- post up 1 pic of your GPSr with Kelowna, Lake Okanagan, and a section of one of the dacite columns in the background. Easily achieved by sitting on or leaning against one.
Also: post up a 2nd picture of any ‘view’ or random piece of scenery from the top (either end) or along the spine of the mountain and describe it. (If you have a 3rd or 4th added ‘view shot’ – feel free to share them as well...) These are just some suggested options for enhancing your logged visit.
*** Have a bit of fun/freedom with your picture posts eh! ***
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*** Please be respectful, pack out your garbage, don’t light campfires whenever you choose to visit this (these) geocaches! *** … Have Fun!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*** CONGRATS TO OUR FTF... *** April 13 
by Kerry&Shannon
I went up yesterday morning around 10am with my GeoDog Chewy. It's great to get back in shape for all the hiking we're gonna be doin this year. It didn't take me long to reach GZ, although I was a little out of breath. I've been up here a few times before. It's such a beautiful spot as you can see the geology the mountain has to offer as well as the views of Kelowna and Westbank. Took some pictures of the area and fugured out the answers to your questions which I'll send shortly. Oh yea... FTF! Thanks for getting me up the hill again. Cheers!
****************************************************
----------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Onpx qbja ng gur obggbz, gurer vf n Gvz Ubegba'f arneol gb gur jrfg!!
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures