GC7CWAF The Royal Oak (Multi-cache) in Ontario, Canada created by Starkiller

GC7CWAF ▼

A cache by Starkiller Message this owner

Hidden : 9/26/2017

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Welcome to the Royal Oak!

This is an official Heritage Tree, as designated by the Ontario Urban Forest Council and Forests Ontario.

In 1860, the 19 year old Prince of Wales, Albert Edward (eldest son of Queen Victoria who went on to be King Edward VII, Queen Elizabeth's Great Grandfather) toured North America. This tour included several stops places like Niagara Falls, Montreal, Ottawa, and Arnprior. After laying the cornerstone for Parliament Hill, he traveled from Bytown in a steamboat and birchbark canoe in a race to Arnprior.

At the time, this house, Robert Simpson Park, and Gillies Grove was part of the McLachlin Estate. The Prince was permitted to choose where he planted the tree, and he chose this location, right next to this building. In the past 157 years it flourished into this glorious oak. Recently, a large limb broke off the tree due to a combination of its age, disease, and severe weather.

This cache is on the grounds of the Galilee center, which often holds retreats and similar functions. The public are invited to use this property, but are required to be respectful guests. Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed. Near the posted coordinates is an amazing view of the Ottawa River. Near the geocache, there is an advanced trail down to the beach.

The Royal Oak is at the posted coordinates. There is an obvious plaque at the base of the tree. What year did the ADHS place the plaque here? Divide this number by 1000. Add it to 24.726 and subtract it from 23.407 to get the minutes of the final geocache container. I have added trailhead information to make it easier to find your way to the final. It is about a 400m walk. The plaque and the final container will both be difficult to find after snowfall so this cache is listed as not available in winter.