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 #23: Resurrection River Trail
Welcome to a travel corridor in Chugach National Forest, just outside the east edge of Kenai Fjords National Park
View where retreating glaciers have left broad valleys beneficial to human travel
To access this cache you MUST use an offline GPS device,
as there is NO cell phone service in this rather remote valley!
(NOTE: The access road leading to this site MAY NOT BE PLOWED IN THE WINTERTIME!
A gate will be closed across the impassable roadway, several miles before the parking area.)
Welcome to a real-time demonstration of plant succession, moving from ice age to rain forest along a trail that courses through a dense spruce/hemlock forest. You will observe how plants take over terrain in the centuries after glacial retreat, feeling like you’ve journeyed deep into the Alaskan coastal wilderness. To make this find, you’ll just stroll about a quarter-mile up the Resurrection River Trail, along the easiest and best-maintained portion of this seventeen-mile-long route. Stay on the main trail until the cache is about 70 feet due east - then take the smaller trail uphill to make the find! If you come to a small stream crossing, you've gone a little bit too far; just backtrack until you see the obvious trail uphill to the cache itself. The full length of this trail provides a link northward to the Russian Lakes and Resurrection Pass trail systems, but this trail becomes quite narrow and rough just four miles north of the trailhead here along Exit Glacier Road. The complete 70-mile journey leading to Hope, ranging through the heart of the Kenai Mountains, is best left to the ambitious and well-equipped backpacker familiar with backcountry travel in Alaska.
A late fall view to Exit Glacier from the trail to this cache.
The trail is dog-friendly, but they must be kept on-leash. It’s only recommended for children who are used to hiking on relatively undeveloped trail surfaces, with close adult supervision. Footwear able to handle gravel, mud, and small water flows on and across the trail surface is best for all travelers. Lots of wildlife are found in the area—beaver, pine marten, moose, wolves, coyotes, bears, Dall sheep and mountain goats have all been seen from or encountered on this trail. Openings in the trees offer superb views to Exit Glacier - be sure to bring a camera along! Please stay on the main trail, and on the short side trail which accesses the final cache site. Do your very best to disturb none of the moss and low vegetation growing here, especially at ground zero as you make the find. Purpose to leave no trace as you travel through this pristine forest.
If you're hiking up this trail, you're encouraged to press on a little further and find the Resurrection Hobbit Cache (GCR8MX), placed in November of 2005. It's a piece of early-heritage geocaching you can accomplish while traveling here in a bit of Alaska's rain forest!
The area is known to have a relatively high density of black and brown bears, meaning you should be Bear Aware about how to handle an encounter with these animals. Common sense says while an encounter is uncommon, it's smart to know what to do if it happens. Visit this very informative multi-lingual link to learn what the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) recommends about preparedness! Presented in nine languages, this web page gives you the detailed information you need to know about safe travel in Alaska’s bear country.
Here’s ADF&G's summary of best behaviors when traveling in Alaska’s backwoods:
• Make noise so you don't surprise a bear.
• Stay alert and look for signs of bears.
• Never approach or crowd bears; respect their "personal space."
• Keep food, garbage and other attractants out of reach of bears.
• Stay calm during a bear encounter. Ready your deterrent.
Stand your ground, group up with others and alert the bear by talking calmly.
• Don't run.
This cache is maintained by local Alaskan geocacher NorthWes.
Please contact him with any questions or maintenance requests.
