This is Team Family Affair’s 16th cache. This cache is short tour allowing you to find and see the different kinds of National Geodetic Survey markers found in our area. This is a virtual cache and takes less than an hour complete. The cache starts out in Rapid Valley just east of Rapid City. It is an easy driving cache as the sites selected are all very close to the main road. At each site there is a place you can safely park off to the side of the road. It is probably best if you use teamwork on this cache with a driver and a navigator (for traffic safety). Let’s begin the Survey Marker Tour!
The first point on the tour is Survey Marker PU1568 located at N 44° 02.822 W 103° 07.887
This is a benchmark survey point with 'U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey Benchmark' stamped into it’s face. It was surveyed and marked in 1925 and the elevation shows as 3082.117 feet above sea level. Here is your question for the first point-What is the cost of the fine (stamped in the disk) for removing or disturbing this marker? (see photo #1)
The second point on the tour is Survey Marker PU1565 located at N 44° 01.870 W 103° 05.498
This marker is also a Benchmark Survey Point but in later years the name and look was changed. It was placed in 1952. It shows the identifying title 'U.S. Geological Survey Benchmark'. What is the elevation stamped on this survey point? (see photo #2)
The third point on this Geodetic Survey tour is Survey Marker PU2296, located at N 44° 04.040 W 103° 05.445
This Reference Mark Survey Marker is the oldest on the tour and has 'U.S. General Land Office Survey 1924' stamped into it. Your question for this point is- What do you see stamped in the middle of the disk? (see photo #3)
Our fourth and last point on this Marker tour is Survey Marker AI7547 and is located at N 44° 05.140 W 103° 05.453
This is a GPS Control Station Marker established by Rapid City and Pennington County. This is the most common marker currently found in our area. Most of these markers were established during the year- 2000. This marker has the identifying marks of RCPC-17 and has an LS number stamped into it. Now for your final question- What is the LS number? (see photo #4)
That concludes the tour. Please email us with your answers (TeamFamilyAffair@hotmail.com) and then you are free to log this cache as a 'found'. We will email you a certificate with your team name on it for you to display.
As a bonus activity there are two other kinds of markers we have found that are not on this tour.
Bonus 1 --- Triangualtion Station Marker--- A closely located example of this type is Marker PU2301, located just a mile down the gravel road across the street from point #4 at (N 44° 05.302 W 103° 03.953). It is located just north of the FAA antenna building and consists of 4 separate markers. There are 2 reference disks (cemented in the ground), the center triangulation marker and another marker consisting of a big stone on the ground with 'US' and a cross chiseled into it. This stone is from when the marker was originally established in 1925. We found this to be the most interesting site we visited. It is in the middle of cattle grassland and is about a half-mile hike down a road to get there. Optional Extra Credit Bonus Question #1- How many big tall antennas are located near this Marker site?
Bonus 2 --- Department of Transportation Marker --- Marker site PU2524 is just a few miles to the north. These kinds of markers are not as exciting as they usually consist of nothing more than a painted pipe cap in the ground with a piece of plastic tube surrounding it. Marker PU2524 is a great example and can be found near the McDonald's on the interstate right by Ellsworth Air Force Base – located at N 44° 07.148 W 103° 04.210 Optional Extra Credit Bonus Question #2- What color is the cover that goes over the top of this marker?
For additional information on Markers in your area click here, enter your location, and find the survey markers in your area.
For general information about National Geodetic Surveys try their web site, by clicking here.
We hope you enjoyed this Geocaching tour of Survey Markers in the Rapid City area. Happy Geocaching!
-Team Family Affair