About the KMTA GeoTrail:
Welcome to a geocaching trail exploring Alaska’s only National Heritage Area. In 2009, Congress designated the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm (KMTA) region of Southcentral Alaska as a National Heritage Area (NHA). This designation formally recognizes the history of an area that has deeply shaped the legacy of Alaska and the nation. It is the history of the Alutiiq, Sugpiaq, and Dena’ina people—the original stewards and inhabitants of the Kenai Peninsula. It’s that of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, Alaska Railroad, Gold Rush, Seward Highway, and local industries that give KMTA its character. KMTA’s geographic footprint bridges Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound via mountains, glacial valleys, and productive rivers. Throughout this landscape are communities and stories that connect us to our past and future. It includes the small and vibrant communities of Bird, Indian, Girdwood, Whittier, Hope, Cooper Landing, Moose Pass, and Seward, and all the wilderness between them. As Alaska’s only National Heritage Area, KMTA aims to enhance, preserve, and share the region’s natural and cultural resources— in essence its heritage. Above all else, KMTA strives to foster pride of place and an enduring stewardship ethic for this special place. As you travel through the Heritage Area to complete this GeoTrail, we encourage to keep that stewardship ethic front of mind as you learn about and enjoy the richness of the region.
As you search for the geocaches making up this GeoTrail, you’ll be asked to complete a passport that qualifies you to purchase the KMTA GeoTrail Geocoin. For more information on the Passport and GeoTrail, please visit KMTA-GeoTrail.GCAK.org
KMTA field guide link: https://kmtacorridor.org/field-trip-guide/
The unique code word for this cache is found on the front of the logbook and/or on the inside of the container lid.
**Cell coverage warning: this location may have limited cell phone coverage (at least for data). It would be wise to download the cache information before arriving at GZ.**
KMTA GeoTrail #6: Resurrection Creek
Welcome to the Resurrection Pass Trail on Resurrection Creek! This trail links historic gold mining areas near Hope to Cooper Landing near the Kenai River.
This area was heavily mined for placer gold (flakes and nuggets that lay in outwash gravel). To get to the gold bearing gravel, overburden - material resting above the gold bearing levels - had to be removed.
This left the area looking a little… rocky? As miners moved earth out of the way, boulders and rocks got put into stacks to make room for outwash access.
From the bridge over the creek, you can see semicircular rings of large rocks. These are prospect holes - exploratory pits to see if any gold had “pooled” under larger rocks.
If you take the time to hike further up the river, keep your eyes peeled for signs of mining activity; old machine parts, ruins, and other evidences of activity are easy to see.
This creek is still mined today, and it’s not uncommon to see miners on the trail, heading to their claim spots.
This cache is maintained by local Alaskan geocacher eaccipi.
Please contact her with any questions or maintenance requests.
