Morton Fountain Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache will take you to the ruins of an old fountain outside the Chapel at Camp Morton. A relatively easy find, this cache should be accessible year-round. Please ensure it is safely secured back in its original location.
There are a number of unique buildings, structures to see in this park as well as access to wonderful beaches and great hiking/skiing trails. Definitely worth a visit. Here are some notes from the park website.
Camp Morton, 8 km north of Gimli, is named after Monsignor Thomas W. Morton who developed the area in 1920 as a summer camp for Roman Catholic children.
Monsignor Morton arrived from England in 1919 to become rector of St. Mary's Cathedral in Winnipeg. He devoted much of his time, funds and energy to establish the children's camp with its ornate buildings and gardens. Many children spent a week of their summer holidays in camp-the boys in July and girls in August.
Daily mass and prayers were an important routine of the camp. The recreation hall was used for arts and crafts. Baseball, tennis, soccer and swimming were the favourite physical activities. Throughout the summer, visitors strolled through the flower-adorned garden and swam in the lake. The camp operated until the late 1960s when a decline in interest led to its closure. In 1974, Camp Morton and adjacent lands were designated a provincial recreation park.
Walk the woodland trails and discover the plants and animals of the Interlake's mixed boreal forest. White spruce are mixed with aspen, oak, ash, balsam poplar and Manitoba maple. Shrubs include saskatoon, high bush-cranberry, hazel and mountain maple. Hikers should beware of the three-leaved shrub, poison ivy.
Early spring-end of May to June-is the best time to hear frogs and songbirds. You can also walk along the shoreline and discover its varied wildlife. Near and on the water, terns, gulls and American white pelicans are commonly seen. Out over the water you may catch a glimpse of an osprey in action, fishing for a meal. Bald eagles pass by here as well during their spring and fall migrations. In winter, these trails can be explored on cross-country skis.
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