Vancouver Island is home to over 1000 caves. Some are remote and hard to reach. Others are easily accessed and well worth visiting. Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park is the most accessible on the island. With that assessibilty has come environmental issues with vandalism and overuse. Caves are a vital component in providing us with a healthy environment - clean water being the most important.
What is Karst ?
Karst is terrain formed from the dissolution of soluable rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and marble. This process occurs over thousands of years and is characterized by sinkholes, caves, disappearing streams and underground drainage systems. It is formed from rainwater made acidic from the carbon dioxide in the air and ground. It finds cracks and fissures in soluable rock and gradually dissolves it causing the openings to become larger. Once large enough, these openings can become caves.
Most caves are formed through dissolution but other geological forces can also be contributing factors. Coastal wave action, draining molten lava, microorganisms and tectonic forces can cause passages of various sizes. Much human and geologic history has been recorded through exploration and documentation of caves but their resources often suffer from human activities - such as recreation, timber harvesting, quarrying, development. A lack of knowledge about caves has been detrimental to the health of caves. Clean water and other benefits depend on clean caves and karst – an important consideration in Canada, where the area of karst is estimated to be 1.08 million square kilometres, over 10% of the total land base.
The Canadian Cave Conservancy is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the conservation of Canadian caves, karst and related resources. Along with partners and many volunteers the CCC has helped by educating the public about cave and karst resource values, cave conservation and caving safety. For more information see their webpage: http://www.canadiancaveconservancy.ca
While it is not necessary to enter the caves to complete this Earth cache we would recommend an "underground" visit to fully appreciate the beauty and complexity of a cave. You can enter Lower Cave for a self guided tour or join a guided group for an experience of a lifetime. Dress accordingly and obtain more information from the visitor centre. There are limited hours during the winter season. http://hornelake.com/caving/cave-park.
To log this cache you will need to visit the park and walk some of the trails to obtain the answers. The coordinates will take you to the new visitor centre. Please email your answers and don't include the answers in your log.
Waypoint 1) Read the sign at the suspension bridge; name 2 of the partners working with the CCC to enhance conservation of the unique features of the caves and improve the visitor experience.
Waypoint 2) Go the trailhead - what is the name of this trail? Continue up it
Waypoint 3) According to the sign, what 2 processes have gradually enlarged the cave passages
Waypoint 4) What defines a cave?
Waypoint 5) At this location you are looking down at the entrance to what cave? How was this cave formed? What is your elevation? Name a prominent karst feature seen here other than the cave
At this point you can continue along the trail to do a circle route or return the same way you came
After visiting the park state 2 things that are being done to help restore and preserve the integrity of the caves. How does vandalism affect the health of caves and why are healthy caves and karst important?
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