photos and story by Scottee Giles –
Gathered at a trailhead on a cool spring morning, our little group chatted excitedly about the geocaching adventure ahead. Beaver Lake reflected a sky of scattered clouds and the well-marked trail led into the forest to the north.
What exactly is geocaching? It’s an outdoor activity using GPS to search for hidden containers called geocaches at locations around the world. If you’ve never tried it before, it’s easier than you think!
We started by installing the free app Geocaching Groundspeak on a mobile device. View your current position on the map to see locations of nearby caches, or scroll to a destination to preview geocaching opportunities. A variety of icons indicate the types of caches.
Traditional caches with a hidden container are most common. Other types include Multi-Caches, Mystery Caches, Virtual Caches and Adventure Labs. We decided to look for a nearby Traditional cache friends had recommended.
To get there, take Pat Bay Highway to Elk Lake Drive. Beautiful views, a playground, washrooms and picnic area make this destination fun for everyone.
Starting out through the trees accompanied by curious squirrels, we used the app to navigate a network of trails 200 metres northeast. Soon our location on the map matched the cache location. We read the description in the app: “handmade container, to remove the top turn counter clockwise.” We clicked on a helpful hint: “southeast side of the trail by a really tall tree.” The hunt was on! “There it is!” one of our explorers called out. “The container looks like a toadstool!”
Carefully unscrewing the lid, we found a shiny treasure engraved with the word “gratitude,” two dinosaurs, a painted rock and another container with a pencil and scroll. When you find a geocache, trade items of equal value and log your name. Leave plants and animals in the park undisturbed and replace the container exactly how you found it.
We spent the rest of the afternoon hiking along the lake. Watch for cyclists and horses on trails marked multi-use. Beaver Lake, traditional home of the WSÁNEĆ̱ people, is also a great spot for swimming, boating and fishing. We even stopped to find another hidden treasure before lunch. Once you get started geocaching, you might be hooked.
Things to Note:
- Find free parking at the Beaver Lake Main
- Parking Lot near the Nature House
- Trails, washrooms, and picnic areas are accessible
- Get the app at www.geocaching.com
