ABOUT THIS LOCATION
Your quest for this Earthcache is a visit to the wayside along
Hwy 33 at County U, 5 miles E of Baraboo, Sauk County.
GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION
When you arrive at the coordinates listed, you will be in a
great spot to view “The Lower Narrows”.
It is a large gap, one of (a) major gorges that cut through the 50
mile circumference of the Baraboo range. These gorges were created
by rivers more than 500 million years ago and then buried by
sediments in a vast sea over the next 150 million years. Wind,
water and glacial erosion have once again exposed the gorges. The
Baraboo River now flows through the upper narrows gorge near (b),
entering a basin surrounded by the Baraboo Range, and exits here at
the Lower Narrows. Notable for its ancient rock formations, the
Lower Narrows features vertically-tilted Precambrian pink Baraboo
quartzite rock ribs on both walls of the gorge. Red rhyollite rock,
over, over 1.5 billion years old, is visible on the northeast flank
of the Lower Narrows along Highway 33, Devils Lake. In the longest
and deepest gorge of the Baraboo Range, was formed when the gap was
blocked by glacial debris 15,000 years ago. Of the Baraboo Range,
geologist and president of the University of Wisconsin, Charles R.
Van Hise commented: “I know of no other region in Wisconsin which
illustrates so many principles of the science of geology”.
Enjoy your visit!
To log this earthcache, you must complete
TWO tasks.
1) FILL IN THE BLANKS. There is a Wisconsin Historical
Marker near the given coordinates. Reading this marker, fill in
what (a) and (b) are above. And tell me what (c) year this marker
was erected.
2) BRING YOUR CAMERA. We would like a photo of your team
with your GPSr so it shows the gorge. (face south) 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.
I hope you will take time to continue your drive along this
highway. A short distance from this wayside we observed the rock
formations mentioned but there was not a good place to park.
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 me before logging
your find. Please do not make any reference to these answers in
your log.
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)
to start being sent special collectable EarthCache Masters
pins. There are four levels to strive to own - Bronze,
Silver, Gold and Platinum. Its free and easy to participate!
Come join in the fun.
To visit an Earthcache near you, click on the Earthcache
Listings, and find a site that interests you.