Although this cache is located on public property designated for the Barnet Marine Park expansion, it is listed as a "Kayaker's Cache" as the easiest way to get to it is from the water.  The puzzle for landlubbers is to find the one (and only one) land route.  Directions are found at the bottom of this page.
 

There is a picturesque little beach on the south shores of Burrard Inlet.  One hundred years ago, this small stretch of sand was popular with the townsfolk living in the eastern section of  Barnet.  Today, it has become forgotten to all but a few sunbathers looking for a private retreat and teenagers looking for late night parties. Those that venture onto this beach may notice the tell-tale signs of past inhabitation strewn along the sand.  Bricks and mortar from long demolished buildings are everywhere.    What few people realize is that this beach has a unique and somewhat sinister past.

It was on this beach that a "Sea Monster" exceeding the length of two grown men was found. In reality, the 12 foot long carcass was a giant octopus much like the one pictured to the right. It was the largest octopus discovered in the Pacific Northwest to date and the biological oddity spawned a media frenzy.  News reports of man eating beasts graced headlines for weeks after the find.  What the newspaper editors of the day did not know is that something even more sinister was lurking below the waterline...

In 1915, World War I was in full swing and it was here that a group of men donated something rather sizeable to the war effort.  The people living in the nearby town of Barnet were oblivious to what was going on in a hastily built warehouse along the beach, however.

Keeping a secret in a small town is a hard job under the best of circumstances but an American entrepreneur managed to do it.  This secret was so well kept that Burnaby's city council and the Government of Canada didn't learn what was going on until long after the deed was done.

There was room for speculation amongst the townsfolk, however.  It was no news that the lights behind locked doors burned well into the night.  The noise of hammers on steel echoed 24 hours a day.  But in polite society, "NO TRESPASSING" signs were obeyed and  the 460 men that toiled in the factory were very good at holding their tongues.  The pay was far too good to let the secret slip.

It was widely assumed that behind the frosted windows ship building was in progress.  That wasn't far from the truth.  On a moonless night, the first "secret" slid down a gangplank and under the water.
 

After the War, the secret surfaced -- in more ways than one.  It was found that the American entrepreneur held a contract to build five submarines for the Russian Navy.  Barred from building them in the United States, he slipped across the border and secretly constructed them in Canada.  In the cover of night, submarines were tested in the waters of Burrard Inlet.  During the day, the submarines were well hidden from prying eyes.

It appears that the city does not view the area to be historically valid.  As the parkland has been expanded, the last remaining structures of this once thriving industrial town have been systematically bulldozed over the last few years.  But it is one of the few areas of Burnaby that exhibits remnants of the industrial age in a natural state of decay.
 
 
 
 

Close by, there's another interesting feature worth viewing.  It's an architectural marvel, of sorts, built by kids.  It is virtually impossible to see  from the beach but if you venture about 75 metres South East on the Cariboo Road side of the tracks, you will stumble across a Tree house.  Now this isn't your average fort haphazardly constructed in the cradle of a tree.  This is a rambling, well-planned compound reminescent of "Swiss Family Robinson."  Built on three levels, this tree house has a picnic area, staircases and viewing platforms all surrounded by a landscaped garden. More Photos

Although the easiest way to this cache is by water, there is a land route that does NOT involve crossing railroad tracks nor trespassing on private property.  Unfortunately, this area of Barnet Marine Park has not yet been developed and the route is strewn with obstacles.  Dogs and small children will not be able to make the journey by land without help.

If you wish to attempt the land route, note that it is only navigable at low tide.

Start at the parking lot at Barnet Marine Park.  From there, head to the beach and travel East.  If you see the ribs of a beached fishing boat along the way, you're heading in the right direction.  At the end of the beach, you will notice a chain link fence belonging to a chemical factory.  This is private property. DO NOT ENTER.  You will have to continue along the shoreline climbing over the breakwater.  This will be the hardest part of the journey as the  breakwater rocks are huge, very difficult to navigate, and can be slippery when wet.  There is also a lot of erosion in this area.  Tracts of newly exposed soil range in colour from lime green to neon orange.  I can only guess that years of seepage from the chemical factory have caused this unusual and somewhat beautiful effect.

You will find yourself on a grassy plateau forested with young saplings.  There is a type of trail through this area skirting the properties (now owned by the City of Burnaby) adjacent to the Chemical plant.  As long as you do not cross the chain link fence, you are OK.   When you reach the east side of the chemical plant there are several trail choices that will take you to a small, hidden beach.  Beware of thorn bushes.

The cache itself is located along the beach.  If you arrive at the co-ordinates anytime after lunch, there is a chance that you will find one or more muggles in varied states of drunkenness.  The beach beer crowd is a harmless bunch who keep mostly to themselves but often invite friendly strangers to partake in a drink.  If you ask them nicely they just might show you the Cariboo shortcut they use to get to the beach.  Please use stealth when finding and re-hiding the cache.

Enjoy your visit.