As the North Saskatchewan River traverses the City of Edmonton, a number of tributaries currently flow into it, including Wedgewood, Whitemud, Gold Bar and Horsehills creeks. Others, such as Mill and Fulton creeks, have been diverted and their lower portions are unrecognizable, though their upper reaches are still relatively natural. Groat and Mackinnon creeks are described as "lost creeks" and exist only in the history books.
Luckily, many of the City's creek valleys and ravines have been lightly touched by development, and continue to provide wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities within the urban landscape. The intersection of nature and development often comes in the form of a bridge, and this Virtual cache provides a look at one such area.
Smith Crossing is located at Whitemud Creek, just downstream of its confluence with Blackmud Creek. Both creeks drain rural areas south of Edmonton before winding through urban areas closer to the North Saskatchewan River. Upstream of Smith Crossing, the MacTaggart Sanctuary occupies the Whitemud Creek valley for several kilometres, sandwiched between residential developments, until the next bridge at Anthony Henday Drive. The rugged terrain in the valley (pictured above) includes numerous oxbow lakes, steep terraces and valley walls, and native forest including spruce, pine, larch and other species. Inhabitants include diverse bird life, all manner of mammals from mice to moose, the occasional garter snake, and a healthy population of geocaches.
Edmonton's many creeks and smaller ravines have required construction of bridges and culverts to allow the road network to develop. At Smith Crossing, the original pony truss bridge with wooden deck (photo above) was constructed in 1914, and served as a road bridge until 1961. A new bridge was then built to carry 23rd Avenue over Whitemud Creek. At that time, the original bridge was repurposed as a pedestrian crossing. In 2008, a second road bridge was constructed, with the structure built in 1961 presently used for the eastbound lanes, and the new structure for the westbound lanes.
In fall 2023, a new pedestrian bridge (photo above) was completed to replace the original that was well over a century old. The modern bridge - steel with a concrete deck - is located on the original alignment, but at a higher elevation to enhance flood conveyance. It will provide foot access to the MacTaggart Sanctuary for years to come.
To log this virtual cache, you must message me the answers to the questions below, and post a photo as described to your log.
1) From the parking area, you can access the Whitemud Creek valley below the two road bridges; you can access the east side directly, or the west side by crossing the pedestrian bridge.
- The 2008 bridge has a plaque affixed to it [Waypoint 3]. Explore the area around the bridges - you do not need to enter the roadway - to find the plaque. What is the last name of the only person named on the plaque? Note: it is NOT "Smith".
- The two bridges were built 47 years apart, with very different designs. Describe the type of material and number of girders (longitudinal members) comprising the superstructure of the north (2008) and south (1961) bridges.
2) On the footpath between the parking area and the pedestrian bridge [Waypoint 2] is a portion of the original 1914 structure, with two interpretive plaques.
- Both plaques identify Robert and Elizabeth Smith as pioneers of a specific area. What is the name of that area?
- There is an original manufacturer's plaque affixed to the structure. What is the complete text on that plaque?
- Count the number of rivets present in the portion of the 1914 structure; do not count rivets used to secure any of the plaques; do count rivets that do not appear to fully penetrate the steel plate. How many rivets are present?
3) Take a photo of the new pedestrian bridge during your visit, and post it with your log.
- The "proof of visit" photo must contain a paper with your geocaching user name and date of visit written on it. Alternatively, you may post a photo of yourself at the bridge.
Logs without the required photos, or for which answers are not provided to me via geocaching site messaging, will be deleted without notice. Please do not post photos that provide answers to any of the questions; logs containing spoilers will also be deleted without notice.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
Glossary of Technical Terms (from cinde.ca and other sources)
Abutment: The part of the substructure that supports the ends of a bridge.
Cement: A substance used for construction that sets, hardens, and binds other substances together.
Concrete: A blend of aggregate, cement and water that forms a dense, semi-homogenous mass.
Girder: A horizontal structure member supporting vertical loads by resisting bending. A girder is a larger beam, especially when made of multiple metal plates. The plates are usually riveted or welded together.
Pier: The vertical part of a substructure that supports the ends of a multiple-span superstructure at a location between abutments.
Reinforced Concrete: Concrete with wire mesh or steel bars embedded to increase its tensile strength.
Rivet: A metal fasterner used in pre-1970 construction; made with a rounded, pre-formed head at one end and installed hot into a predrilled or punched hole; the other end was hammered into a similar shaped head, thereby clamping the adjoining parts together.
Substructure: The portion of the bridge that supports the superstructure and transfers the total load to the bridge footings and foundation. Includes bridge piers and abutments.
Superstructure: The portion of the bridge that provides the horizontal span and directly bears the live load, transferring it to the substructure.