*** Logging Requirements --- Please Read Beforehand***
To claim a find on this virtual, all you are required to do, is to take a photo of you clearly displaying your personal caching name at the 7 different locations with the recommended views. (Optional Webcam view allowed at the 7th location.) Then upload these 7 unique photos to your found log. No need to send the CO any information. I can easily check your found log that you have met the requirements!
**Hints for name sign and picture taking success!**
++ Dark, bold lettering on a lighter background sign will take the best pictures.
++ Do look at some of the previous found log pictures to see what works and what doesn't. There are many good and unique examples there. LaurenJT's log comes to mind.
++ Using an ink pen usually results in an almost unreadable sign as it is too fine of a line for the camera to capture.
++ Group shots are discouraged as the group is usually too far away for the camera to capture the name sign. The closer the sign is to the camera, the better.
++ Do try taking a few test pictures at home with your sign to avoid disappointment at GZ. Nothing is worse than travelling a distance to find out your sign is unsuitable.
++ Do review your pictures as you take them, to ensure your caching name is clearly seen in each photo.
Greater logging details.
1. Visit each location and take a photo physically holding your caching name at that location (no photoshopping in names later) - Showing your face is optional, but this CO does enjoy seeing smiling faces at his caches!
2. Each location will have a recommended place or waypoint to take your picture from, so there will be no doubt what view will be required. Example photos are also included in the description for reference.
3. All found logs will need to have their 7 unique photos attached, clearly showing your individual caching name and the location view to claim the find. (No temporary group of the day caching names accepted.) Failure to include the photos (or only some of them) with your log will be considered not completing the requirements and your found log will be deleted. This also includes photos not displaying your caching name or the correct picture location. Remember this isn't a 1D cache, you will need to do some prepwork and preplanning to claim the find for this virtual.
4. Large group photos and all caching names together on one sheet of paper are discouraged, as you know who you are, but the CO necessarily doesn't. Holding your own caching name causes less confusion. Group photos also have the issue of you standing farther back from the camera and your name sign can become unreadable in the photo. Again each found log must have the 7 clear photos.
5. Note, all locations are public with parking nearby and there is no need to cross any private properties.
6. Due to some of the areas being near residential locations or only a day use area, No night caching on this one!
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Long Point
A sand spit jutting out into Lake Erie, but also a graveyard to hundreds of shipwrecks. An important migration location for tens of thousands of birds and butterflies. It has many unique habitats. Outdoor activities from fishing, hunting, camping, and boating. Home to Bird Studies Canada, Long Point Region Conservation Authority, The Long Point Provincial Park and a declared World Biosphere Reserve.
Located in Norfolk County, Long Point is a prime example of sand dune and spit formation found on the north shore of Lake Erie. It is the longest freshwater sand spit in the world that extends out 40 km into the deepest part of Lake Erie, but only a 1 km at it's widest point. It is also the largest erosion deposit formation in the Great Lakes. It was created and still is, by water-borne sediments as they sweep eastward and are deposited in part along an underwater glacial moraine.
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Photo Locations
Outer Marshes Lookout
You are now at the base of the Long Point Peninsula. The wetlands that surround you make up the Big Creek National Wildlife Area. Many hundreds of species call this home where Lake Erie meets the mainland. Enjoy the views from the platform and the nearby walking trails.
Your task is to take a photo in front of the steel sculpture near parking.
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The Causeway
Built in 1929 this is the only access point that connects the mainland to Long Point. The Long Point road or more commonly known as the causeway, is a thin stretch of paved roadway that weaves it way though the Long Point marshes to the sandy shores of Long Point. There have been improvements over the years, but in 2017 an effort to save the wildlife crossing over the causeway from vehicle traffic was implemented. One will notice what looks like frost breaks in the road as you travel the causeway. In fact they are wildlife crossings under the roadway. Still be mindful of any animal trying to cross the road.
Your task is to take a photo of one of these crossings.
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The Inner Bay Lookout
At this location you are viewing the inner bay of Long Point. The wetlands with the open, shallower and calmer waters attract many species of animals to this healthy and diverse habitat. It also attracts many anglers, hunters and pleasure craft due to the protected water from the rougher waters of Lake Erie.
Your task is to take a photo from the observation platform. Either the upper or lower area capturing part of the platform and the view in the photo.
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Hastings Drive
Hastings Drive was once densely populated with many cottages along the shoreline. In 1954 Hurricane Hazel caused significant property damage to this location. The properties were eventually rebuilt and life continued on. In December of 1985, a devastating winter storm hit and along with high lake levels, the shoreline was wiped clean of many of the cottages. Some ended up in the marshes or out in Lake Erie. This time the land was designated as hazardous and no new buildings were to be constructed or old ones rebuilt. Only the cottages that survived were grandfathered and allowed to stay. Even now the road is constantly repaired from storms and no emergency personal are required to save you, if you are caught out on this road in a storm. This place always reminds me of that song you learn in grade school about the foolish man who built his house on the sand!
Your task is to take a photo anywhere along sandy Hastings Drive, showing how close the lake is to the road and any protection that has been added.
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The Sandy Beaches of Long Point
This place is one of the main reasons so many people are attracted to Long Point. Sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see! From camping, to a day at the beach, Long Point can see from 100,000 to 300,000 visitors each year.
Your task is to take a photo of the sand and surf either to the east or west.
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The Old Cut and The Carrying Place- Portage
All along this area was the original portage that the early Natives and the later European settlers used to "Carry Across" Long Point to avoid the long paddle around the tip. As schooner traffic and trade increased, a demand arose for a manmade channel or canal to be constructed at the base of Long Point to allow vessels a quick and safe journey past the point. By February 1833, the work project was to go ahead and engineers were on site. Mother nature seemed to have different plans and in November of that year, a violent storm caused lake levels to phenomenally rise. When the wind dropped, the backed up water in the inner bay surged over Long Point punching a channel 350 metres wide and with a varying depth from 12 to 18 ft. With the excavation work done for them, the engineers immediately moved to this new location and proceeded to build their new channel east of the original proposed site. This channel shifted from time to time as the west side filled in and the east side eroded. It remained navigable till 1895. In the meantime, mother nature decided to do it again and opened another cut in 1865 well west of original one. More storms opened it up till it was almost a kilometer wide and a depth of 20 ft. In 1879, a lighthouse was built to help with navigation of the new channel. Over time the new channel also filled in and became impassable. The lighthouse service was discontinued by 1916. Nothing remains of the channel at the south end or what is now referred to as the Old Cut.
Your task is to take a photo capturing the top of the 1879 lighthouse at this location.
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The Old Cut Marina
The northern end of the Old Cut or bay side has survived over the years, as it wasn't subjected to the constant deposit of sands filling it in as the southern shore receives. As you can see around you, it has transformed into a marina and countless cottages dot the channel that still allow an easy access for vessels to the inner bay.
Option 1. Your task is to take a photo capturing the upstream channel of the Old Cut from the picnic area by the boatlaunch.
OR
Option 2. Since this location has a WEBCAM and they are rare in Ontario for caches these days, I will encourage anyone who is not shy, to take a screenshot of yourself with your smartphone at this location, instead of the standard required picture. No caching name required for this either. I will also encourage big groups with the web cam. You will still need to attach the group photo to each found log and identify where you are standing in the picture. It might be wise to take the other location picture, incase the web cam is down or other technical issues. There are 4 webcams here, use the main one in the upper right of your screen.
Old Cut Marina Webcam link
OR the Webcam Screen Shot
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Long Point offers much more than what this virtual can offer. Go out, explore and
I hope you enjoyed your visit!
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.