677209 - Mt. Kobau Benchmark - located near Osoyoos, BC
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member 240 Jordy
N 49° 06.668 W 119° 40.010
11U E 305385 N 5443235
Trail to top is 1km. Some parts are steep however a rest bench awaits you halfway up. Located at the elevation of 1873 Meters
Waymark Code: WM41RT
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 06/24/2008
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member South Surrey Scavengers
Views: 60

A beautiful view can be seen hear of the Okanagon Valley including Osoyoos and Cawston. A dirt FSR will take you to your parking location.

Yes there are 2 caches nearby here as well.

Mount Kobau is the Oldest Dark Sky Preserve in the World, Wikipedia lists it as:

A Dark Sky Preserve is a region where measures to control or eliminate light pollution are enforced.

The first preserve was established in Torrance Barrens in Ontario, Canada. Nevertheless, protection zones around observatories existed well before the creation of that preserve.

Because there are no established standards for a dark sky preserve, such designations are generally through self-proclamation. As a result, the validity of such a designation may be dubious. In some cases, dark sky preserves are neither dark, nor protected. Also, there is some confusion between reserve,preserve and park. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada prefers to use the word preserve because reserve could be related to Indian reserve. Otherwise, IDA choose reserve to avoid confusion with park, when using the acronyms IDSR (International Dark Sky Reserve) and IDSP (International Dark Sky Park). The general understanding is than a dark sky park should be relatively dark and promote the astronomy. Dark Sky Preserve comprise a Dark Sky Park and the surrounding communities that are also involved in the protection of the night sky. Following this definition, most existing dark sky preserves are dark sky parks.

Conversely, some observatories are surrounded by protection zones where the light pollution is controlled, even if they are not designated as a dark sky preserve.

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has recently recognised the world's first International Dark Sky Reserve around Mont Mégantic, Québec.[1] IDA has also recognised the world's first International Dark Sky Park at Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah.[2]


Further information explains:
This is a special place. The great rampart of Mt. Kobau separates two ancient river valleys. From either side, the mountain’s grassland slopes rise quickly, conceding first to scattered pines, then to steep, thick forests of fir.



The lower campground at the 1991 MKSP with the radio tower on the peak
A kilometre and a half above the rivers, the woods yield to a sub-alpine ridge. Here, wildflowers bloom between hardy conifers and sagebrush. By day, the vista seems endless. After sunset, it may be so.


MKSP is for those whose hearts swell at the sight of faint starlight; it is not for the faint of heart. The bumpy road to the summit can de-collimate more than your telescope. At night, while good seeing tests your scope’s resolution, cold temperatures will test your personal resolve.


But as the saying goes, nothing worth doing is easy. And – we think you’ll agree – nothing compares with the exhausted exhilaration you’ll feel packing away scope and charts as the spectral hues of dawn tempt away the night’s last stars.



Mt. Kobau has a reputation as a star party for serious observers. That doesn’t mean "no fun allowed." Nor does it mean you have to be a grizzled sky-veteran to enjoy the experience. The fresh enthusiasm of a fired-up beginner fits right in. Just give proper consideration to the trials Kobau may put you through… and when you come, come prepared!


Further information can be seen at:
(visit link)

Unique Designation: 677209

Marker Type: Triangulation Station Disk

Condition: Good

Visit Instructions:
To post a log for any benchmark, a photo will be required. When visiting any site please respect any private property rights that may exist. Given the number and age of the benchmarks, they may not be all accessible or even exist at this time.
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