Lake Coeur d'Alene EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This earth cache is located at the end of the Idaho Centennial Trail, at Higgins Point. The last five miles of trail along Lake Coeur d'Alene is know as the Coeur d'Alene Parkway State Park and is maintained by the Idaho Parks and Recreation Department.
Lake Coeur d'Alene is approximatley 30 miles long, ranges from 1 to 3 miles wide and offers over 109 miles of shoreline. The lake is fed by the Coeur d'Alene, St. Joe and St. Maries Rivers. The fish common sought after by fisherman are Chinook salmon, trout and Northern Pike. The lake's outflow is via the Spokane River. The elevation of the lake is 2125 feet (648 m) above sea level.
Looking to the North, blocking the Northward passage of the rivers which form this lake, a great dam of glacial ice once towered above the horizon as far as the eye can see. When the glacier melted, about 600,000 years ago, it left a moraine, a ridge of rubble gathered under the glacier front, at Rathdrum Idaho Northwest of here. This moraine dammed the rivers and run-off waters were forced West to form what is now the Spokane River, and left this beautiful lake we are still enjoying today.
Although glacially formed, Lake Coeur d'Alene's depth has been enhanced by the construction of the dam on the Spokane River, in Post Falls. The lake has been a primary method of transporting lumber in Kootenai County since the industry took root in the region. In fact, prior to a fire in 1917, Harrison was going to be county seat of Kootenai County, as the swiftly growing lumber town was at an opportune junction of the St. Joe and Coeur d' Alene Rivers. After the fire, the mills were largely moved to the city of Coeur d'Alene, which then grew to become the county seat.
There are a number of model T's sitting on the bottom of the lake, due to people in the early 1900s who would drive across the lake during the winter time in order to save half the distance in getting around the lake. When the ice broke, so did the chances for getting across. Also, there are some steamboats on the bottom that had been burned when they were no longer used to ferry people around on the lake. Divers frequently visit these ruins on the bottom.
Lake Coeur d'Alene is a popular tourist site for many people during the summer, offering great beaches and scenic views. A seasonal hobby of some local residents is viewing the bald eagles as they feed on the kokanee in the lake, mainly from the Wolf Lodge Bay and also at Higgin's Point, the location of this earth cache. Birdwatchers will be interested to know that Lake Coeur d'Alene is also the largest nesting population of osprey in the western United States.
The Coeur d'Alene Tribe owns the southern third of Lake Coeur d'Alene. In Idaho v. United States, the United States Supreme Court upheld an 1873 executive order issued by President Ulysses S. Grant transferring ownership to the Tribe. While the court holding has not affected usage and access to Lake Coeur d'Alene, the Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that the Tribe may set its own water-quality standards on its portion of Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Location: Northern Idaho
Lake Type:Glacial Reservoir
Primary Sources: Coeur d'Alene, St. Joe and St. Maries Rivers
Primary Outflows: Spokane River
Lake area: 50 sq miles
Max length: 32 mi
Max width: 3 mi
Water volume: 2.8 km³
Residence time (of lake water): 0.5 yrs
Surface elevation: 2125 ft (648 m)
Dept: Unknown
To claim this cache you must complete TWO things:
1) From the waypoint, estimate the distance across the lake from where you are to the other side of the lake. (Towards the hill on the other side with the one large tree.) Email your answer to the cache owner. Please DO NOT post your answer with your log entry.
AND
2) Have your picture taken with the nearby photographer, while holding your GPS. Post your picture with your log entry for this cache. NOTE: Taking a picture of a muggle with the photographer doesn't count, but it is ok to ask a muggle to take your picture with the photographer.
If you don't know who the photographer is, you will see him 24/7 near the waypoint for this cache.
FUN BONUS QUESTIONS:
1) At the waypoint coordinates you will locate a sign discribing the Bald Eagles and Osprey common to this part of the lake. Email the cache owner the number of birds pictured on this sign. Be very careful to read left to right, top to bottom, to insure you don't miss any. Please DO NOT post your answer with your log entry.
2) Directly across the lake on the hill top you will see one tall tree which stands above all of the rest. Can you name what type of tree this is? If so email your answer to the cache owner. Again, please DO NOT post your answer with your log entry.
This is a great kids cache, however please keep little ones in hand as you are by the lake. There are two viewing binoculars mounted next to the waypoint. They are great for looking for the Bald Eagles and Osprey. (or even that tall tree) Should you happen to take any good pictures of any of these birds, please also post them with your log for others to see.
Have fun and enjoy this beautiful lake.
Martin 5
Platinum Level Earthcache Masters
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Lbh zhfg rkvg V-90 ng gur Furezna Nirahr rkvg #15. Gnxr Pbrhe q'Nyrar Ynxr Qevir nccebkvzngryl 6 zvyrf gb gur pnpur jnlcbvag, sbyybjvat gur vafgehpgvbaf nobir gb or noyr gb pynvz vg. Vs geniryyvat guebhtu vg vf n yvggyr ovg bhg bs lbhe jnl, ubjrire jryy jbegu vg gb frr gur ynxr hc pybfr. Gurer ner frireny pnpur uvqrf nybat gur jnl, fb or fher gb purpx gurz bhg gb juvyr lbh ner qevivat ol. Lbh jvyy arrq gb jngpu sbe zhttyrf sbe gurfr bgure pnpurf nf gur genvy vf uvtuyl hfrq lrne ebhaq ol jnyxref, ehaaref, naq ovplpyvfgf.