Ney's Sulfur Cistern EarthCache
Hidden : 2/28/2020
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


Ney's Sulfur Cistern Earthcache

History of Ney Springs.
Located in Mt. Shasta, California, Ney Spring was discovered by John Ney in 1887. A once world-renowned health resort in the 19th century, Ney Springs featured facilities for up to fifty guests, several outbuildings, and a wooden bridge system providing creek access. The resort has since been overtaken by nature and all that remains are moss-covered walls with a spigot that still runs and an old cistern that still gurgles with silica-rich spring water. The water has a pH of 11.6 and a silica content of 4,000 parts per million, the highest values known to occur in natural ground waters. For reference, a mineral spring is generally defined as one that contains a reading of 400 parts/million of total dissolved solids. Ney's Spring contains 10 times that!

Spring.
A spring is a water resource formed when the side of a hill, a valley bottom or other low-lying area intersects a flowing body of groundwater at or below the local water table. Water moves through rock, dissolving bedrock as it flows. Ultimately, a spring results where the water overflows onto the land surface. They range in size from intermittent seeps, which flow only after much rain, to huge pools flowing hundreds of millions of gallons daily.

Mineral Springs.
Mineral springs are naturally occurring springs that produce water containing minerals, or other dissolved substances, that alter its taste or give it a purported therapeutic value. Salts, sulfur compounds, and gases are among the substances that can be dissolved in the spring water during its passage underground. As water percolates through porous sedimentary rocks, it picks up (by dissolving) these various minerals and compounds.

Sulfur springs also has an odour which accompanies it (reminds you of rotten eggs!). The smell is a result of H2S (Hydrogen Sulphide), a gas similar to natural gas. It results from anaerobic bacteria converting some of the dissolved sulphur in the water to H2S.

References.
Springs and the Water Cycle. USGS (online). https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/springs-and-water-cycle Mineral Spring. Wikipedia (online).
Faery Falls and Ney Springs - Hiking. (2017) (online). https://rootsrated.com/redding-ca/hiking/faery-falls-and-ney-springs-hiking
Faery Falls and Ney Springs in Mount Shasta. (online) https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/faery-falls-ney-springs/

This hike offers a glimpse into the city’s early history. You will begin your journey at the trailhead (see additional waypoint - a hand-written sign pointing you in the right direction).

In order to log this Earthcache, you must email / message wiji (see profile) the answers to the following questions:

1. Describe the clarity of the water in the cistern? Estimate the depth of the water? Do you notice a smell emanating from the water?

2. Look closely at the surface of the water. Do you see any evidence of gas bubbling through the water?

3. As a result of your observations, what is the main mineral dissolved in this water?

4. OPTIONAL BONUS - What geometric shape does the cement surrounding the cistern form?

5. OPTIONAL - Take a photo of your GPSr or yourself/team in front of the stone wall by the cistern. You may include this photo in your log.

++ Congratulations to Dboss5000 on the FTF!! ++

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This cache was placed and is maintained by an essexcountygeocachers.org member.

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