ABOUT THIS LOCATION
Your quest for this Earthcache is a visit to Kettle Pond Park
located at 5805 Old Middleton Road. This is a City of Madison
Conservation Park so a regular geocache is not permitted here. Park
hours are from 4 AM until one hour after sunset.
Conservation Parks have the following rules that need to be
observed while visiting this location: 1) dogs are not permitted,
2) stay to the designated trails, 3) picnics are prohibited, 4) all
plants and animals are protected, and 5) motor vehicles are
restricted to the entrance/ parking lot area.
At Kettle Pond Park, neighborhood volunteers are helping with an
ongoing oak savanna restoration project. Native trees, shrubs and
wildflowers are being planted. Exotic trees and shrubs are being
cut to foster oak regeneration and wildflower growth.
GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The retreat of the glacier 10,000 years ago left many 'kettle
holes' in the Madison area. This pond surrounded by woods provides
habitat for a variety of wildlife in this 8 acre park. It was neat
because it is a pocket of nature surrounded by houses.
KETTLES are depressions created by partially-buried glacial ice
blocks as they melted. The depressions that filled with water
became kettle lakes.
Kettle Lake - Before
A block of ice is left behind by the retreating glacier.
Sediments from the glacier bury the block of ice.
Kettle Lake - After
After the ice melts a depression is left behind. The kettle is
dry if the water table is below the bottom of the kettle. A kettle
lake forms if the water table is higher than the bottom of the
kettle.
Enjoy your visit!
To log this earthcache, you must complete
TWO tasks.
(please remember to stick to the trails)
1) The coordinates will take you to an edge of the Pond.
Estimate the distance across this pond area. Email your answer when
posting your "found it" log. During certain seasons, because the
water table drops, it is possible for the Kettle to be dry. Do you
best to estimate.
2) BRING YOUR CAMERA. We would like a photo of your team
with your GPSr at Kettle Pond Park. However, if you are solo
caching, a photo of your GPSr with enough of the location in the
background that can be identified, will also be accepted. Please
upload your photo(s) with your "found it" log.
Please be advised, failure to complete the
TWO tasks listed above (emailing the answer and posting your photo
will result in log deletion without notice.
You do NOT have to wait for confirmation from my AuntieNae
before logging your find. Please do not make any reference to your
answer in your log.
I hope you enjoy discovering this “pocket” of nature as we did.
I was geocaching with my AuntieNae when we came across this area. I
thought other kids might enjoy coming here too so we made this an
Earthcache. Messa
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
~John Muir
Want to be further rewarded
for visiting EarthCache sites around our planet?
Then why not become involved in the exciting new
EarthCache
Masters program. Just visit three or more EarthCache sites
(view guidelines)
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pins. There are four levels to strive to own - Bronze,
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Come join in the fun.
To visit an Earthcache near you, click on the Earthcache
Listings, and find a site that interests you.
Thank you to my AuntieNae for getting permission to place this
Earthcache. She contacted Rhonda Veroeven who obtained permission
from the Madison Parks representative. If you would like to place a
cache in a city of Madison park you must contact her. To contact
Rhonda please email at rveroeven wi-geocaching com or through
WISearchers at GC dot com
Questions related to access, policies, regulation and protocol
regarding geocaching in the City of Madison parks will be submitted
to WGA liasion R. Veroeven who will report directly to James
Weinstock, Parks Operation Supervisor.