The Sundial Bridge Virtual Cache

Note: The Bridge is open from 6am to 12am

The Sundial Bridge is an iconic Redding landmark that opened on July 4, 2004 and was designed by the world renouned architect Santiago Calatrava. It crosses the Sacramento River and links the north and south campuses of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

The cable-stayed structure has an inclined, 217 foot pylon constructed of 580 tons of steel. The deck is made up of 200 tons of glass and granite and is supported by more than 4,300 feet of cable. The structure is stabilized by a steel truss, and rests on a foundation of more than 115 tons of steel and 1,900 cubic yards of concrete at a total cost of $24 million funded mostly by the The McConnell Foundation.

It actually functions as a Sundial and is one of the largest in the world. The sundial shadow traces such a large arc that it can record only four hours a day, from 11am - 3pm. It is not accurate in winter because the shadow is too far into the arboretum to be seen. The shadow, when visible, moves about one foot per minute, so you can see it move. 

The coordinates should take you to a circular plaque on the ground north of the bridge in the "Plaza de California" featuring the names of the McConnell Foundation Board of directors and the City Council as well as additional statements regarding the bridge itself. This plaque will help you answer a couple of the questions.

In order to log the find you must send a message or e-mail me answers to these questions:

1.) How many cables do you pass as you cross the Sundial Bridge?

2.) What is the name of the Vice Mayor under the City Council?

3.) Fill in the blank: "The Sundial Bridge is both an impressive piece of public art and a ___________ footbridge"

(Optional) Post a picture of yourself and your group with the Sundial Bridge in the background in your found log. Your face is not required to be in the photo.

In order for this to count as a find you must e-mail me or message me the answers in a timely fashion. If you are in a group you only need to send one e-mail or message for the entire party, just include a list of the usernames of those who were with you along with your answers. I decided to make photos optional but I encourage you to take pictures and share them. DO NOT include answers to the questions in your log.

Congratulations to BIG BEAR. for the FTF!

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.