Trophies in the Trees: A Beginner’s Guide to Geocaching the Valley

If you’ve ever spotted me in a LanMonkey video—poking around a gnarled cedar root, peering under a rusty bridge piling, or looking suspiciously at a "fake" rock—you might have wondered what on earth I was doing. No, I haven't lost my keys. I’m hunting for a trophy.

I’ve been a Geocaching ambassador for years because, to me, it is one of the funnest ways to explore Southwest BC. It turns a standard Sunday stroll into a high-stakes mission and leads you to places that even the locals don't know exist. If you’ve got adventure in your blood, it’s time to stop watching and start hunting.

1. Getting Started: The Digital Compass

Geocaching is has often been teasingly called "using multi-billion dollar satellites to find Tupperware in the woods." While it's a fun way to tease those who enjoy the game, the reality is that it is very easy to start and enjoy. I encourage you to watch this short video on YouTube that explains how to get started, but for the TL;DR bunch, here's the Cole's Notes:

• The App: Download the official Geocaching app. You’ll see a map of the Valley littered with icons. Green icons are Traditional caches (the best place to start), and Blue ones are EarthCaches (educational spots about geology—some of which I’ve even designed myself!).

• The Hunt: Pick a cache, hit "Navigate," and follow the arrow. Just remember: the GPS gets you close (within 5–10 meters), but your eyes have to do the final work. Look for things that seem "out of place"—a pile of bark that looks too neat or a bolt that doesn't quite match the bridge.

2. The Code of the Cache: Swag & Signatures

Inside most caches, you’ll find a logbook and often some "Swag" (trackables or small trinkets).

• The Signature: This is non-negotiable. If you don't sign the physical logbook, you can't claim it online. Always carry a pen.

• Swag Etiquette: If you take something from a cache, you must leave something of equal or greater value behind. We call it "Trading Up or Even."

• Trackables: You might find a metal dog tag with a code. These are Trackables and they aren't yours to keep! They have missions to travel from cache to cache. If you take one, make sure you log it and move it to a new location soon. If you are unclear or can't be bothered, just leave it in the geocache!

3. CITO: The Explorer’s Responsibility

As someone who respects this land and the people who call BC home, this is the most important part of the game: CITO (Cache In, Trash Out). Whenever you head out to find a cache, carry a small trash bag. If you see litter on the trail, pick it up. Geocachers are the "Quiet Stewards" of the Fraser Valley. We leave the forest cleaner than we found it, ensuring that we remain "good guests" on the traditional territories of the Stó:lō, Kwantlen, and Sts'ailes people.

4. Where to Hunt: The Valley's "Hot Spots"

If you're looking for a high-density area to get your first few "Finds," you're in luck - I literally wrote the book on Geocaching in Southwest BC - and here are my top picks: