This multi will take you on a good trip through the hidden gem that is Eves Provincial Park in Westholme, BC. You will be visiting a few different areas of the park to figure out the answers to 5 questions. The answers are all located on or near signs in the park. These answers will be needed to solve some arithmetic problems that will lead you to the final location. The cache can be completed in less than an hour, as the stages are not too far apart and the terrain is not too challenging, but there is some up and down. All of the stages and the final hiding spot are on marked trails so there is no need to go off path at any point. There is lots of tree cover here so GPS reception can be spotty, so it might be wise to study the map before you leave stage one. There's no need to bushwhack or walk on any cliffs.
Stage 1 - these coordinates will take you to the main parking area near the caretaker's cabin. Read the main park entrance sign first and answer the following questions:
A) What year was Eves Park established? [use only the last two digits of the year! No '19']
B) How big (in acres) is Eves Park?
A short walk away by the caretaker's cabin is Eves Park's native plant garden. Planted here are some species that are native to the Cowichan Valley. Only one question to answer here:
C) How many native plants are pictured on the sign titled "Native Plant Garden Journal"? [Do not count the butterfly, as it is not a plant :-) ]
Stage 2 - this stage is a bit further of a walk and there are multiple routes to choose from. The coordinates will take you to an area with a sign that describes an era when Eves Park was a hub of activity for only a short period of time over a century ago. The sign is close to the last remaining remnant of that era. At this sign, you must answer two more questions:
D) How many railway ties are there in the remaining section of railway?
E) How much copper (in tons) was transported through Eves Park? [use only the first three digits of the six-digit number you find]
Stage 3
Now it's time for some math! Answer the following equations:
A - B = XX
C + 80 = YY
D - 26 = Z
E + 735 = WWW
Using the figures obtained with those equations, plug them into the final coordinates listed below.
N 48° 5X.XYY
W 123° Z1.WWW
Good luck! The cache is a small lock-and-lock container stocked with a few goodies and is located in one of our favourite spots in the park. The hint should help find the cache if you are having trouble once you are near the final location.