Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site (2024)

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Geocache Description:

As an earthcache, there is no “box” or “container” to discover. Rather, with this cache, you discover something about the geology of the area. For more info, consult www.earthcache.org
This is a fascinating earthcache of one of the weird geological anomalies in the Warner Mountain Range, a mere half hour drive up to the top of Fandango Pass.

Fandango Pass is a partially paved, partially gravel road that connects Davis Creek and Fort Bidwell in the very northeastern part of California. It is cleared MOST of the time in the winter, but by no means is that a guarantee. This road is navigable during the summer by most vehicles. There is a historic marker (and NGS Benchmark) a few hundred yards east of this cache.
Believe it or not, the earthcache is available to those in wheelchairs as long as someone is able to help “push” if they get stuck in a soft gravel spot. I went there with my wheelchair bound friend and we both made it back just fine!

It is best to approach this cache from the western side of the Warner Mountain Range (Hwy 395) where the turnoff is clearly marked, though if you know the area, you can easily access it from the Fort Bidwell side of the mountain range.

History:
Fandango Pass is a saddle between the head of Fandango Valley on the west and Surprise Valley on the east. The terrain made it the path of choice for the Applegate-Lassen Emigrant Trail and, later, for a military road running to Ft. Bidwell. To the east one has a spectacular view of Surprise Valley and the ranges of Nevada. To the west, Fandango Valley is a broad, gentle sweep between the rugged slope of Fandango Peak and the lower swell of ridges concealing Lower Bear Valley to the south. Fandango Pass’s Forest Rd 9 is a historic road. The historic marker nearby marks the convergence of two pioneer trails used by emigrants during the years 1846-1850. The Applegate Trail, established in 1846, led from the Humboldt River in Nevada to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The Lassen Cutoff, established by Peter Lassen in 1848, turned south at Goose Lake to the northern mines and settlements of California.

Geology:
The Warner Mountains are composed of volcanic material formed during the Oligocene to Pliocene eras. The Warner Mountains are a complex geological piece, since they contain Basalt from several volcanic explosions as well as layers of ash from rhyolitic volcanic outbursts. In some areas in this range, the ash layers are neatly arranged sandwiched between basalt layers and spires, while in others differing forms of rhyolite (Obsidian and rhyolitic ash) combine in the same layer. That is exactly what has happened in this area, where the obsidian has been captured in volcanic ash.

The colors of the obsidian and ash vary by location based on the minerals present WITH the silica rich rhyolite. Red is formed by the presence of iron, while black is formed thanks to the presence of magnetite or basalt in the viscous rhyolite mixture. Clear obsidian and white ash or the purest silica forms and contain few “contaminating” minerals.

The “Apache Tear” form of obsidian is found in a softer volcanic rock, most often Perlite. You will be asked to describe the COLORS of both rocks in the logging requirements.

NOTE: these are chemically “apache tears” though to technically/mytically they are not, since Apache Tears (and the Apache nation) are supposed to be found only in New Mexico or Arizona….but they’re the same rock in the same host rock!
This is considered a legitimate rockhounding area according to both major rockhounding guides (Falcon Guides and GemTrails), so at least at the time this earthcache was written, it was okay to collect samples. However, obsidian collecting REQUIRES a permit, which is available at the Davis Creek store (on Hwy 395, 20 miles north of Alturas) or at the BLM office in Alturas or Cedarville. Do not collect without this permit, which allows up to 500 lbs of Obsidian per person per calendar year.

Apache Tears legend:
The legend of the name Apache Tears dates back to the 1870's when a group of Apache Warriors, in battle on a mountain and outnumbered, decided they would rather ride their horses off the cliffs to their deaths then face defeat against the US Calvary. The tears wept by the family members of the Apache warriors turned to stone upon hitting the ground. The mountain in which the battle took place is now called Apache Leap Mountain.

It is believed by some that Apache Tears are associated with the cleansing and healing powers of grief and emotions. They are said to release grief and trapped emotions in a controlled and positive manner. They are also said to provide strength and courage during such times of emotional grief and can bring hope in times of despair.

It is possible to complete this cache WITHOUT collecting any samples!

If you collect NPS Benchmarks there is one nearby next to the historical marker at the Parking area 100 yards east of these cords.

Logging Requirements:
Send the answers to #1- #4 to me through my geocaching profile.
1.List the name “GC22YDV Apache Tears Earthcache” in the first line of your email. Also, list the number of people in your group.

2.List the elevation at the earthcache GZ.

3.After finding several of the dark colored apache tears in the ash, determine relative hardness of the apache tears. In other words, are the Apache Tears harder or softer than the surrounding rock that they are embedded in? How did you come to this conclusion?

4.Determine the predominate color of the ash and the color and average size of the apache tears. Based on the information above, why do you believe there is a difference in color?

5. (Now considered optional by GC.com...but if your answers to above questions leave me with questions...the picture sure does help verify the find!) Post, as part of your log, a picture of yourself and/or your GPS with the Apache Tears mounds plainly visible behind you. Of course, you may choose to take a picture of your GPS and the nearby historical marker.

Resources:

LookingUPward -- he spent numerous hours getting the right permissions from the National Forest....thanks DAD!

Alt & Hyndman, Roadside Geology of Northern andCentral California. Mountain Press Publishing. Missoula: Montana. 2000.
Waymarking.com
Away.com

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