Iowa Balanced Rock EarthCache
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Located in Maquoketa Caves State Park. There are many well marked trails but terrain can be more difficult depending how much of the park you want to visit.
WE HAVE HAD REPORTS OF A ROCK SLIDE THAT HAS HINDERED OTHERS IN THEIR SEARCH OF THIS SIGHT. SEEMS TO BE PASSABLE, BUT DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
The landscape of Jackson county was shaped by oceans,ice and rivers. The rocks seen here originated as sediment on the floor of warm, shallow seas that covered the mid-continent about 420 million years ago. These are lime rich rocks called dolomite, and they are of the Silurian age.
Maquoketa Caves State Park has more than just caves and walking trails. This is a very interesting feature of this park not all that common in Iowa.
This is one of those strange erosional features of nature. Wind, water, ice has worked this wounder for us to see and touch. It is a 17 ton Balanced Rock. There is not much holding it up!!
Please enjoy the 6 or more miles of trails in the park and take a peak at a cave or two.
ALSO PLEASE STAY ON THE WELL MAKED TRAILS.
To get to Balanced Rock, park in one of the parking lots. Then follow the trail that leads toward Barbell Cave and the coordinates.
There was heavy cloud cover and rain when coords were taken, so go to the area of the coords. Balanced Rock is right along the trail.
Interpretive Center: N 42° 07.197 W 090° 45.950 The former Sager's Museum building has been converted into an interpretive center. This new facility contains detailed information about the geology of cave formations, park history, and a background of the early "inhabitants" of the park. It also contains a "video tour" of the park, for those who are unable to withstand the rugged terrain that the park offers. This facility will be open on the weekends during the summer and by special arrangement with the park office. Please stop and read the informational kiosk very near thee parking area for the infromation you need.
HAVE FUN!
To log this cache: estimate the dimensions of the smallest part of the Balanced Rock, where the rock meets the base. e-mail the answer. PLEASE DO NOT POST ANSWER!
Please feel free to post a picture of yourself, your group or anything else you feel picture worthy at the park.
Additional Hints
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