Barrens Dark Sky EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

Geocaching HQ Admin: It has now been over 30 days since Geocaching HQ submitted the disabled log below and, unfortunately, the cache owner has not posted an Owner maintenance log and re-enabled this geocache. As a result, we are now archiving this cache page.

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Hidden : 12/13/2006
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Welcome to an EarthCache. EarthCaches are interesting geographical features. There are no log books, Tupperware or trading items....just an interesting lesson to be learned. To log this earthcache, read below and answer the questions.

The Torrance Barrens is 1,905 hectares (4,707 acres). The geology of the landscape is characterized by low ridges of Precambrian Shield, which formed approximately 2.5 billion years ago.

The rich variety of vegetation, the geology and the large size of the Barrens have resulted in a diversity of plants and animals, including some provincially and nationally rare species such as the Southern Bog Lemming and the elusive Five Lined Skink, Ontario's only lizard. One might also find the threatened Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, the uncommon Eastern Hognose Snake and several species of birds and mammals that are at the northern limit of their distribution.

The area is home to many erratics...large bolders that were dropped off by receeding glaciers.

The troughs between the rock ridges are filled with wetlands and small ponds and lakes. The wetlands are diverse, with dense open-water marshes, peatlands, grassy bog mats, floating shrub mats and swamps dominated by mature conifer trees or shrub thickets. Beavers are active in many wetlands.

THE DARK SKY RESERVE

Once the Conservation Reserve was established, naturalists realized that the Torrance Barrens had a previously unrecognized attribute. Because of an absence of light pollution at night, it was a remarkable place to view the natural beauty of the starry sky. Protected or undeveloped land virtually surrounds the Reserve, acting as an additional buffer from urban lighting. This combination of attributes makes the Barrens unique in Ontario. In 1999, the Ontario government acknowledged night-sky viewing as an important use of the Torrance Barrens and added the designation of Dark Sky Reserve to its title. The announcement received national and international attention. This is indeed a special place to view the universe.

The metamorphosed rock is more than two billion years old. It has been under mountains, under water, under miles of ice and under tropical jungles many times in its history. Today, it is under your feet as you look up into the cosmos and appreciate the immensity of time and space.

To log this EarthCache, place yourself at the posted coordinates and identify (via profile above before logging)the glacial feature you can see both north and to the south. (if you continue hiking the north trail, it becomes very clear as to what I am seeking)

To learn more about the area and direction to parking, please see (visit link)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

nyy gur vasbezngvba lbh arrq vf jevggra nobir

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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