This cache will bring you to one of the best areas for hiking on the north shore: Lynn Headwaters Regional Park and the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve – two big wilderness parks which exist side by side. Lynn Headwaters is based around the Lynn Creek watershed area, and the LSCR around the Seymour River.
This cache is a Letterbox Hybrid that functions like a multi-cache. All the information you need for solving it will be available at the start of your hike. However, it is unusual in that you can choose to start at one of two different locations, and all the clues needed to solve the final location are available at either of the starting points. (No need to go to both.)
The cache is meant to be fairly easy to figure out. The clues at either starting point can be found just by looking for what is described. The hike is pretty long, and the terrain will require some endurance, but the trails are well-established and fairly popular. The cache is also a little bit educational. The place where you gather clues will be at a noticeboard where you should stop anyway, since it contains safety information everyone should read before such a journey.
The primary starting point is at the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park trailhead, at the posted coordinates. You reach it by crossing over the creek from the parking area of BC Mills House. At the posted coordinates, you will find a very large noticeboard in three sections, with all kinds of maps, safety information, and updates on local conditions. All the clues you need to solve the cache location are on the noticeboard or nearby to it.
The alternate starting point is at the Rice Lake parking area, at the end of Lillooet Road, where there is also a washroom building. Just east of the washrooms there is a large signboard with maps and advisories; this general area contains clues for solving the cache as well. Once you have figured out the clues, use the geochecker to check them, and get more detail than the hint provides.
The terrain rating is 3.5 due to the length of the hike and variable terrain, but terrain at any particular spot should not exceed 3. You will be hiking into the wilderness to get this cache, and all the usual hiking precautions apply. Make sure you have appropriate footwear & clothing for the season. Although you will be on marked trails, be aware of your surroundings. Plan for several hours of hiking there and back again. The area will be closed after dark, and might be closed in winter completely. Tell somebody where you are going, or leave a note on the noticeboard for park staff.
As well, cell phone signals tend to cease after you get some distance from the start, so make sure to use the geochecker at the starting area, not later. More detailed trail apps are useful to have, and perhaps take one of the free paper maps they have as well. Washrooms and water filling stations are at the parking areas, but no food is available. And finally, if you create any garbage while hiking, pack it back out with you - do not litter.
CACHE SOLVING:
The cache is located at the following coordinates:
N49 2A.BCD W123 E.FGH
From LYNN HEADWATERS (Posted Coordinates) :
Clue A: On the centre sign signboard, how many bottles of extra water bottles are shown in the picture of hikers with gear ?
Clue B: On the centre signboard, how many letters in the second word to the left of the hikers: "insect _______ " ?
Clue C: On the centre signboard, the number of letters in the of 3rd word of the top line of text?
Clue D: On the right signboard map, how many letters in the missing word "third ______ chute"?
Clue E: On the right signboard, what is the listed return time for the Lynn Loop trail ? ( ___ hours)
Clue F: On the right signboard, what is the last digit of the Cedar Mills & Headwaters Trail Loop distance) ?
Clue G: On the left signboard, how many words are on the top line of text?
Clue H: Number of wooden benches attached to this big sign ?
From RICE LAKE parking (Alternate Starting Area):
Clue A: How many "staff only" doors are on the washroom building (all sides)?
Clue B: The number of vertical support beams on the front of the washroom building, minus the number of regular washroom doors on the front of the building.
Clue C: On the signboard, what is the last digit of the listed number of hectares in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve ?
Clue D: How many words are on the narrow sign at the bottom of the signboard ?
Clue E: On the signboard map, what is the last digit of the Lynn Peak elevation ?
Clue F: On the signboard map, what is the last digit of the Dog Mountain elevation ?
Clue G: On the signboard map panel (bottom right) how many square symbols are crossed out ?
Clue H: How many drinking fountains are east of the washroom building?
Use this link to check your solution:
The cache is a small lock & lock container, with another container inside containing the stamp, plus a logbook and pencil. Stamp the date and sign, or use your own stamp if you like. Make sure to put all the contents back inside when you are done, putting the stamp back inside the inner container to protect it from the elements, then the logbook back into it's own bag. Close the container securely, then place both the cache and concealment back exactly as you found it, with the concealment in place. (Please do not move the cache hiding location or take the stamp with you !)
If you are interested in another cache in this same region, try GC9HZK6.
NOTES ABOUT TRANSPORTATION:
Motor vehicle:
To reach the Lynn Headwaters starting point by vehicle, drive to the end of Lynn Valley Road, up the narrow road that goes way beyond Dempsey (be careful driving it). Be advised that where the parking waypoint is shown, it is pay parking from March to October. You can find free parking starting at about 500 m. further south on the roadway you entered (closer to the Lynn Headwater Spring earthcache, GC5T0FK), but then you must walk a longer distance just to reach the trailhead.
You can also find free parking at the alternate starting area – the Rice Lake parking lot, which is at the end of Lillooet Road. However going this way also means hiking a longer distance to the cache (about 1 km).
Note: Both starting areas are behind gates that are locked by park staff after a certain hour, to prevent people from trying to hike the area in darkness. Make sure to note then time when you arrive to the area, and leave before that time is up. As far as I know, no ATVs or other powered vehicles are allowed on the trails.
Transit: It is possble to take the bus to the intersection of Lynn Valley Road and Dempsey, before entering the park itself, but then you will have a fairly long walk (1.5 km) to reach the posted coordinates / trailhead beyond the end of Lynn Valley Road. As far as I know, there is no transit option to reach the Rice Lake parking area.
Bicycles: It is possible to reach either starting areas by bike, but it is not allowed to take bikes on the hiking trails, so you would have to lock them up near the starting area, at your own risk.
http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/parks-greenways-reserves/lynn-headwaters-regional-park
NOTE: The honour of being First-To-Find was claimed by Trexzer ! Second-to-find was Zeppelin94.