This geocache is part of the Gold Country Geocaching Event Passport to the Gold Trail. Check goldtrail.com for more details. Explore Gold Country and view breath taking scenery, walk along parts of the Old Cariboo Wagon Trail, and wander into the friendly Gold Rush communities that are brimming with much to see and to discover.
Below and above the road you will see evidence of properties that were originally developed as vineyards. The Drinkwater and Walker families moved to this property in 1979 with the intention of growing grapes for the wine industry. There was no power or water to the property at the time as it was raw land covered in sagebrush. Because the power ended at the Stevenson Ranch, several kms. away at the top of the hill, it had to be brought in from there. Water needed to be pumped from the river to irrigate the farms on the upper bench. Large pipes and submersible pumps were required to pump from the river, travel under the rail lines and then carry the water up to the benches. CNR had no issue with the request, but CPR did. The owners took CPR to court and in a huge victory won the right to run the piping under the CPR tracks and water the land above. The story made headlines throughout the province, with people comparing it to the story of David vs. Goliath!
Award winning wines were made from the grapes produced on this land. Grapes were shipped to both Calona Wines in Kelowna, BC and also to Sumac Ridge Winery in Summerland, BC. Unfortunately, in 1985, the area experienced an uncharacteristically cold fall. The vines had not yet become dormant and took a terrible hit. All four farms, growing several varieties of vinifera grapes succumbed, losing over 80% of the vines. The wine industry at the time was experiencing changes in the type of grapes they desired and to replant and wait another 4-5 years for a crop was cost prohibitive; thus, the vines were never replanted. All four owners were also growing other crops which included fruit and vegetables. These were sold to local stores and people from all over the area who delighted in being able to come and buy their fresh vegetables at the farm gate. The last of the farms were sold to new owners in the early 1990`s. The remnants of the vineyards can still be seen in the posts and wires still standing and the broken PVC pipes that remain of the solid set irrigation system.
Follow Drinkwater Road past the farms to the cattleguard above the last farm. Park in the turnaround here to find the cache.