This totem pole commemorates a tragedy that took place in Whatcom County in 1999, when the gas pipeline under Whatcom Falls Park spilled gasoline into Hanna and Whatcom Creeks, resulting in an explosion that took the lives of three people.
The Lummi House of Tears created the healing pole in 2006 to recognize the tragedy and help the community heal. Tribal artists restored the pole in 2018-2019. Visitors can find the restored pole at the Woburn Street Trailhead located in Whatcom Falls Park.
From https://www.bellingham.org/exploring-the-hidden-treasures-in-whatcom-falls-park
The cache is not located at the posted coordinates. It is inside Whatcom Falls Park, a short walk away. To learn the location of the cache, solve this simple field puzzle: Count the number of red and black scales on the salmon depicted on the totem pole, and do a bit of simple arithmetic.
A = black scales on lower salmon, divided by 2
B = black scales on upper salmon, minus red scales on upper salmon
C= black scales on upper salmon, minus red scales on lower salmon
D = red scales on upper salmon, minus red scales on lower salmon
E = black scales on upper salmon, minus (black scales on lower salmon times 2)
F = red scales on lower salmon
The cache is located at N 48 45. ABC W 122 26.DEF
You can validate your puzzle solution with
certitude.
The graves of two of the young victims of the pipeline explosion lie in nearby Bayview Cemetery and are listed under additional waypoints but there is no need to visit them in order to find the cache.