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WaStatePks100: Kopachuck Traditional Geocache

Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache was originally placed in 2013 as part of the Washington State Parks Centennial GeoTour - "100 caches in 100 parks to celebrate 100 years" - cosponsored by Washington State Geocaching Association (WSGA).


Kopachuck State Park is a 109-acre (0.44 km2) marine and day use park with over a mile of saltwater shoreline. The park also includes Cutts Island State Park also known locally as "Deadman's Island". The island is about half mile from shore and reachable only by boat. The park provides sweeping views of sunsets, the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.

The park has four kitchen shelters (available on a first-come, first-served basis) complete with electricity in addition to 16 sheltered and 76 unsheltered picnic tables. Other common recreation activities include swimming and kayaking. The normally steep rocky beach becomes a level sandbar at low tide and is a popular place for kids to play in the sand. The park provides scenic views of sunsets, the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.

History: Kopachuck State Park bears a name whose origin derives from the language of the Chinook Tribe, a band of Pacific Coastal Indians. Kopachuck is a blend of two words: “kopa,” meaning “at,” and “chuck” meaning “water.” The Puyallup and Nisqually Indian Tribes used the area around the park for seasonal fishing and clam gatherings. Cutts Island has had many different names throughout the years. One of the names for the island: "Deadman's Island" alludes to the belief that the island was used by saltwater tribes who buried their dead in canoes placed in the forks of trees. It is unknown how the island acquired the name "Cutts Island". Prior to its current popular names, the place was called "Crow Island," for the large quantity of crows explorer Peter Puget discovered there in 1792, and later "Scotts Island," in honor of Thomas Scott, quartermaster of the 1841 Wilkes expedition.

Park hours: Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk. Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.  

Geocache details: There are 3 other caches all worthy of exploring the park and it's trails to get to! Check out GC3R3V9, GC9AE2, and GC1TZME


  • This geocache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
  • The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
  • By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
  • Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Cnex arne gur sne raq bs gur cnexvat ybg, arne rkvg, naq jnyx gb gur vagrecergvir genvy. Bapr ng gur ovt prqne gerr, pnpur vf nobhg 20 srrg sebz genvy (20 srrg jrfg bs gur prqne gerr), ng gur raq bs n ybt.

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)