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 #2: Girdwood - Crow Creek Mine
The Crow Creek Mine is a restored (and working) mining camp that was originally established in 1896. Crow Creek Mine is open from May 15th-September 15th each year. Now privately owned by the Toohey family, it provides an opportunity for visitors to peek into the life of a gold camp.
A tidbit of history of the mine:
Crow Creek Mine is a National Historic Site. A number of original buildings from 1898 still stand onsite. The Toohey family has lived and worked this site since the late 1960's off grid to preserve this historical landmark in Alaska's proud history. Prior to the Toohey family, Arnie Erickson owned the claims to the site and was its mine operator. He previously was hired on as the supervisor of mining operations before purchasing the claims to the property. The early mining methods were of pick and shovel. These methods changed to hydraulic operations fairly quickly after. Gravel was excavated and sluiced over 1,000 feet along the creek. There was a great deal of material processed through sluice boxes about 200 feet long using a detailed hydraulic method. There was a special kind of cleanup to collect the gold.
An excursion to the Crow Creek Mine is an ideal companion to a trip to Hope Museum and/or to the Resurrection Creek site. Whereas these sites require the students to see beyond the rock piles and the faded photos/maps to imagine what living in a gold camp might have been like, the Crow Creek Mine provides the visitor not only a chance to see a recreated site but to try their hand at panning for gold.
Permission given from Kate Williamson, President of Crow Creek, Inc. (land owner) to enter for the geocache, as it is placed near the entrance and second gate for Crow Creek Mine. Kate specifically asked that geocachers not attempt this cache during the off season as the road is not maintained and can be very dangerous in the winter.
This cache is maintained by local Alaskan geocacher hyfolks26.
Please contact her with any questions or maintenance requests.
