Skip to content

Bear Cache and the Confluence (G3) Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Sagefox: We have decided to archive this cache.

More
Hidden : 5/8/2002
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

This is the third in our series of geological "field trip" caches identifying significant rock formations of the Coast Ranges. The route takes us from the Central Valley to the Pacific Ocean along Highways 16, 20 and 1. Each cache is identified by a number in the name as in (G3).

The two shall eventually meet. The coordinates are offset 10’ to 15’ because of poor readings under the trees. After your find continue on another 100’ to a good view of the confluence and perhaps some good swiming on a hot day. Watch for rattlesnakes.

Cache Creek canyon exposes the layered Great Valley Sequence rock formation which you have, no doubt, been looking at coming from either direction. The mountains west of here are different in that they are essentially the scrapings from off the ocean floor as it slid under the continental plate in the subduction process and mixed with the sandstone rock that eroded off the ancient Sierras.

When subduction stopped, the Coast Ranges continued to rise, or rebound. As they did so they lifted this layered and previously undistrubed sequence of rocks up from the the ocean floor. The rocks you are seeing are laying on top of that jumbled mess of rocks to the west that is causing all the commotion.

This canyon is best viewed with the sun at your back, especially traveling up stream in the morning. Either direction at any time of day is delightful, however.

For all geocaching anywhere in these mountains be sure to make noise before you go digging into rock piles and under bushes and trees. Speak loudly and poke with a long stick. This is snake country.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Svefg gur arj tngr gura gur byq bar, abj lbh ner jvguva 30’ gb 40’.

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)