To touch the sky, to see the world Virtual Cache

For this Virtual 2.0, you'll be giving your legs a cardio workout!
The reward for your efforts will be a spectacular view!

To touch the sky...

The Temagami Fire Tower is a 100 foot steel tower that provides a view beyond 40km around Temagami and the region. With modern fire detection strategies in play, the tower hasn't been used in decades to spot and locate forest fires, but now remains a publicly accessible site to see and experience high on Caribou Mountain, surrounded by parks, forests, trails, and lakes.

Originally, a 45 foot wooden tower was built here in 1910, which was replaced by an 85 foot steel tower 20 years later. That one didn't stand the test of time, and was soon replaced by the current 100 foot steel tower in the 1960s. By August 9th, 1998, the tower was restored to be opened to public access, and dedicated to the Ministry of Natural Resources' Forest Rangers.

Another tower, considered the tallest steel fire tower in the world, Beard Tower in Western Australia, stands at 200'. Temagami's fire tower reaches half that height! Relatively few fire towers remain now that reach beyond 100 feet in height, but structures and compositions vary widely, so it's not easy to verify. (some are even spiral staircases winding around very large, tall trees).


This tower sits atop Caribou Mountain, near the edge of a cliff face, which gives the illusion of an even higher elevation when looking out from the safely and partially enclosed room sitting at the top of the tower, called the cupola.

Around the base of the tower a boardwalk was built, which includes a lookout platform to the west from which you can more comfortably take in the breathtaking vista spanning Temagami and on to central Ontario. Another viewing platform is built to the north which holds a replica of the cupola at the top of the tower, for those who may not wish to climb its steps.

Originally, to ascend the tower you would climb an external ladder to its full height. Now a spiral staircase up the central shaft provides a safer (and less gut-wrenching) route to its top floor. You can see what the ascent is like in this video from when I climbed the tower myself.

From the parking lot, you can follow the trail up to the boardwalk with the lookout platforms, and then on to the tower's summit where you can feel like you're touching the sky!

Weather warnings! * If you hear thunder (let alone are amidst a thunderstorm) do not approach or climb the tower
* In high winds the tower can sway, that is normal

Your task, should you choose to accept it:

• Send a message or an email to my profile with answers to these questions:
  (do not include them in your log!)
  
  (1) At Waypoint 1 (next to the parking lot), there is a small trail sign - what is the 3 digit number closest to "You Are Here"?
  (1-Alternate) If the info sign is missing, describe what image is on the diamond-shaped sign lower on the same sign post at waypoint 1.
  
  (2) At Waypoint 3 (the tower), count the total number of steps (including platforms) between the base platform and the cupola platform. Include this your count in your private message.

• Include with your Found It log the following content:
  
  (1) GPS coordinates of the location you first spot (or can make out) the fire tower, on approach to or departure from the Virtual cache location (even considering weather or tree canopy).
  
  (2) A photo from the west lookout platform (Waypoint 2) showing both the Temagami sign and fire tower cupola in the background, with yourself or a personally identifiable item in the foreground
  
  (3) A photo from the cupola of the fire tower, either (A) showing yourself touching or pointing to the pully on the center of the roof, or (B) showing a personal item sitting on (or being held on) the cupola ledge looking over Temagami.
  
  (feel free to post additional photos from your visit if you wish!)