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 #17: Local History at Moose Pass
Topics: Local History, the Alaska Railroad, a Water Wheel, and the People who settled here
The town of Moose Pass was originally established as a supply point for miners on their trek to the gold fields and for the construction of the railroad. However, it is the community spirit and lovely setting along Upper Trail Lake that maintains the community as you see it today. A stop at the nearby Moose Pass water wheel is well-worth your time on so many levels. The water wheel provides an opportunity to see how the energy of water can be harnessed, but mostly it speaks to the resiliency of community (and how a nearby small geocache [GC1TWQP] can be hidden in such a historic spot.) The original pelton wheel was built in 1928 to supply electricity to the townspeople at Moose Pass. It must have been quite successful for it continued to power the town up to 1956. It was restored in 1964 to provide electricity to the adjacent Estes Store. In 1980 a replacement 10 foot water wheel was constructed with the help of local mechanics and welders. It was maintained with considerable effort by storeowner Ed Estes but then fell upon disrepair at his passing. It has recently been restored again with the determination and spirit of the Moose Pass community. As the grindstone suggests: “If you have an ax to grind – do it here.” (By the way, it's a great place to restore the edge on your pocketknife, too!)
The historic information panel where you'll find the necessary information is behind you when you are standing with this view of the Welcome sign!
As you read across the information found on the historical sign panel here next to the big 'Moose Pass Welcomes You' sign, you'll gain a sense of how the actions of the people who lived here or traveled through this site contributed to the heritage of the community of Moose Pass. To determine the final coordinates, look for these clues across the historical sign panel to replace the letters with numbers needed to set up the final coordinates:
Final Coordinates: N 60 2A.BBB W149 22.CDC
Where A is THREE times the the number of rooms the newly-remodeled school grew to have in 1953,
due to a doubling in school population.
Where B is the number in 1921 of school-aged children less 1,
necessary for Moose Pass to be able to open an elementary school.
Where C is the third digit in the mileage listed in the 1924 railroad timetable
of the Moose Pass Flag Stop.
Where D is the second digit of the elevation of Moose Pass, as listed on the
top header portion of the sign.
Please practice CITO at the final stage to help keep this pullout a nice place to stop!
This cache is maintained by local Alaskan geocacher NorthWes.
Please contact him with any questions or maintenance requests.
