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Geology Geocache #6: Metamorphic Marvels Traditional Cache

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Dirtsqueezer1: Cache was retired.

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Hidden : 4/3/2002
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


Apart from a fantastic view of the Skagit Valley, this cahce features an excellent display of metamorphic rocks from the Easton Terrane. Along the numerous road cuts approaching the cache are great exposures of greenschist, blueschist, phyllite, talc schist. These rocks originally consisted of 150 million year old deep ocean basalt and sediments that were metaphorphosed under very high pressure during subduction beneath the North American plate. After the metamorphism the rocks were cut by quartz veins during hydrothermal activity. It will be well worth your time to spend time on these outcrops. This hill is an oasis of hard rock in a sea of soft sediments in the Skagit Valley.

Enjoy the rock hounding but keep in mind some basic safety of roadside geology: park and walk in areas that are safe to car traffic; beware of falling rocks on the outcrops.

The cache is an ammo box that contains knick knacks, a Harry Potter Card game, and a wooden nickle from my grandpa's old gas station. Approach the site from the north side of the hill. A publicly open access road leads to the cache.

Enjoy.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur pnpur vf nobhg 45' jrfg bs gur pebff orarngu n fghzc.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)