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 #14: Cooper Creek
Location description: the hillside to the east of this location is half way eroded and gone. You can see the hillside from the highway, or from various spots such as near the campground. The hill erosion is a result of using giants to remove the overburden from placer deposits. A walk up toward the base of the hill will provide lessons to the long term impacts of this mining technique.
The hillside can be viewed from Two Brothers Grill or a short distance from the highway into Cooper Creek Campground.
This area used giants (which can be seen at the Cooper Landing Museum and also at Hope) to remove the overburden from the placer gold bearing layer. If you’ve been to the Resurrection Creek area this will provide an opportunity to compare the two areas.
Water for the giants was provided by a flume which originated upstream in Cooper Creek. These flumes caused the build up of pressure which in turn blasted away the hillside.
Viewing this one can also see the long term downside of this strategy. This area has been heavily impacted with silt.
Geocache description: At this hide location, there is parking and a regular-sized container waiting to be found.
This cache is maintained by local Alaskan geocacher alaskatim.
Please contact him with any questions or maintenance requests.
