An easy cache along the Elbow River, but up on higher ground so the next flood won't take it away.
This cache replaces Stairs to... our original cache in the area. That cache suffered from the lack of an official geocaching policy in Alberta Parks. Now, with a policy in place and the convservation officer fully on side, the cache is back, sort of. The original cache was too old to reactivate so a new cache has been placed to bring geocaching back to this area.
Several massive rainstorms and floods from 2005 to present have changed many areas of the Elbow River (and others) in Southern Alberta. Near the Gooseberry campground and day use area, the river reshaped the landscape quite dramatically. This cache is located along a trail that parallels the river. Back in 2005, there were 3 sets of wooden stairs along the path that took you down to river level and to lots of great areas to explore. Now, only one of those stairs actually takes you to dry land (about 60 metres northeast of the cache site). The other stairs have been removed after being destroyed by the flood in 2005. Before removal, one of those stairs led to ... well, nothing. It just ended in midair.
You can get to this cache from 3 different spots. When the campground is open (May 1 to Thanksgiving, subject to snow levels) you can drive into the campground and park at the day use area, where a trail starts. The rest of the year you can park at the gate to the campground and walk in from there. It's still a short hike of only about 400 m on flat ground. You can also park up at the Elbow Valley Visitor Center and take the Gooseberry trail head in - you'll see the trail head as you drive into the visitor center. Maybe you can also stop in and find our other cache, Gooseberry 2.0, while you're in the area. If you come from the visitor center you'll have to take some stairs down to and then navigate you're way through the campground. It's not too far and an easy walk. You'll find an entry point to the trail system between sites 73 and 74.
The cache is an ammo can a short distance from the path. Be mindful of the campsites in the area; you should be out of site behind the trees, but you are close to the campground. Please rehide the cache well when you are done so it is not visible from the path. The cache contained log book, pencil, and trading items. Since your in the forest, it may take a little time for your GPSr to settle down.
While you're in the area you may want to follow the trails to see the how the area has changed over time. When this cache was placed in October 2019, the beavers were as busy as, well, beavers. They have built three dams on a side channel to the river. The river and forest are always changing!
A trail report for the area can be found here.
Note: All vehicles parked at provincial park and public land sites in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley need a Conservation Pass. You can buy your pass online here or at the Elbow Valley Visitor Information Center.