IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: Bayfront Park, where this cache is located, has closed until Spring 2027. This EarthCache is still accessible although the route is much longer. The terrain level has been changed from 1.0 to 2.5 due to the long walk and trail material. All traffic for this cache will need to park and walk from Village Point Park Preserve. I have attached a parking waypoint for new parking. I have attached 4 trailheads for this easiest route to the cache. Please read directions below for navigation. After rainfall, these trails may be wet and muddy, the boardwalks may be slick and wet. Please come prepared or wait for another day. This reroute is temporary until the park opens back up in Spring 2027. This cache was edited on October 28, 2025. I will fix it back to terrain 1.0 (if still applicable) and fix the description/attributes. The answers should stay the same during construction but if anything changes, make an educational guess and send me a PM. I have posted a note in the cache logs with images of the GZ at the moment. There is absolutely NO WAY to access the cache or park from Bayfront park or Bayfront Park Dr.
DIRECTIONS: Trailhead #1 is the start of the trail. The pavement will end near these coordinates and you will proceed onto the wide gravel trail straight ahead. Continue on the wide gravel trail until you reach Trailhead #2. It'll be a decent length walk. From Trailhead #2 turn right. Follow this trail until you reach an intersection at Trailhead #3. There will be boardwalks on both sides of you. At Trailhead #3 take a left and continue down the straighter boardwalk until you reach Trailhead #4. At Trailhead #4 take a right. Follow this paved trail until you reach boardwalks. Continue down the boardwalks until you reach the coordinates for the EarthCache.
Welcome to my Earthcache! An Earthcache is a special type of geocache where there is no container to find - instead you are looking for a unique geological feature of the area and need to answer questions, as well as posting a picture, in order to claim the find.
Bayfront Park and its boardwalk offer a unique view of Mobile Bay, one of the most ecologically significant estuaries in the United States. Located in Daphne, Alabama, this park gives visitors the chance to explore a blend of natural beauty, coastal ecosystems, and the effects of human interaction with the environment.
1. Mobile Bay and Its Estuaries
An estuary is a coastal area where freshwater from rivers and streams meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean. Estuaries, like Mobile Bay, are highly productive ecosystems that support a variety of plant and animal life, including fish nurseries and migratory bird habitats. The bay is influenced by the tides, which create regular changes in the water level and salinity, crucial for the survival of many species.
2. Erosion
Erosion is the process by which soil, rock, or sediment is gradually worn away by natural forces like wind, water, ice, and even biological activity. In Bayfront Park, the force of water from Mobile Bay constantly interacts with the shoreline, slowly wearing down the bank. Wave action and tidal movement contribute to erosion, especially during storms or high tide events.
Over time, erosion can reshape the land, changing the shape of the coastline. In areas like Bayfront Park, sediment transport plays a major role in shaping the landscape. The boardwalk in the park is a structure designed to withstand the natural process of erosion, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the bay without disturbing the fragile shoreline.
3. Small Grasslands Near Bays and Their Purpose
The small grasslands near bays are often referred to as salt marshes or wetlands. These areas are crucial for maintaining the health of the estuary. These grasslands serve several important ecological functions:
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Water filtration: Wetland plants filter out pollutants from the water before it reaches open waters.
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Habitat for wildlife: Many species of birds, fish, and invertebrates rely on these areas for food and shelter.
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Flood control: Wetlands help absorb excess water from storms or high tides, reducing the risk of flooding in nearby areas.
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Carbon storage: Wetlands capture and store carbon, playing a role in mitigating climate change.
4. Snakes and Alligators in Mobile Bay and Yancey Branch
The Mobile Bay area and nearby Yancey Branch are home to a variety of reptiles, including snakes and alligators. These creatures are vital to the local ecosystem for several reasons:
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Alligators: Alligators help maintain the balance of the food chain in wetlands by controlling the populations of smaller animals like fish, turtles, and even some species of birds. They also create "alligator holes," which provide habitats for many species during droughts.
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Snakes: Many species of snakes, like the water moccasin (cottonmouth), thrive in the marshy areas near the bay. These snakes help control populations of rodents, frogs, and fish, contributing to the health of the ecosystem.
Despite their potentially dangerous reputation, both alligators and snakes play essential roles in maintaining the ecological balance of the Mobile Bay area, making them important parts of the natural community.
FOR THIS EARTHCACHE :
Answer and complete the following below. Order does not matter. Please send me a message or click the "answer question" button after selecting log. Do NOT post your answers.
1. Look at the shoreline, what have the waves caused to happen at this location?
2. Observe the surrounding boardwalk, how do you think it manages to stay safe from the waves and weather?
3. How do you think the grassland benefits this area naturally?
4. Take a picture of anywhere around the location, you CAN attach this to your log.
If you can not find the answers, send me a message!
SOURCES:
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Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR): for information on the Bayfront Park area and Mobile Bay’s environmental significance.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): for detailed information on estuaries, tidal effects, and erosion.
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