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KMTA GeoTrail #8: Wible Hydraulic Mining Flume Traditional Cache

Hidden : 5/27/2023
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


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 #8: Wible Hydraulic Mining Flume

Look around the mountainsides above the Wible Flume for signs of glaciation. First, you’ll note striations on the face of the mountains. These striations are caused by the scraping motion of the moving masses of ice (that in turn ultimately formed the classic U-shaped valleys). Those striations can be found nearly to the top of the mountains suggesting that at one time the ice in this area was 3,000 feet thick. Look also in the saddles of the mountains where cirque glaciers used to fill. Here, and in other locations viewed from the road, you’ll see recessional gravel moraines that are particularly sharp and well defined… almost knifed-edged. These are called “ice-cored moraines” and as their name suggests retain their precise shape due to the hardened inner ice core. Enjoy these now, for as the climate warms these features will gradually melt internally and soften their sharp edges.

 

This cache is maintained by local Alaskan geocacher GeoFootstomper.
Please contact him with any questions or maintenance requests.

 

 

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Additional Hints (Decrypt)

N snveyl fgrrc rzonaxzrag. Vs lbh tb abegu cnfg gur pnpur ybpngvba naq jnyx guebhtu gur nyqref, vg vf n yvggyr yrff fgrrc bs na rzonaxzrag.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)