Be sure to read the requirements for this seasonal Earth Cache very
carefully! Failure to provide all required information will result
in deletion of your find!
This is a private park, open seasonally, with an
admission fee required. You will be required to sign a waiver at
the park admissions office upon arrival.
The park is open daily from 10AM-5PM. The last guest is
admitted at 4PM. See website www.panamarocks.com for current schedule and admission rates.
Welcome to Panama Rocks, perhaps one of Chautauqua County New
York's best kept secrets. Privately owned and operated, Panama
Rocks has been welcoming visitors for generations. The Craig Weston
family has been maintaining the park for over 25 years, and Craig
himself has granted permission for this Earth Cache listing.
The Panama Rocks are reputed to be the world's most extensive
outcropping of glacier-sculpted, ocean-quartz-conglomerate rock.
Geologists believe the rocks originated as sand and gravel sea
islands, over 300 million years ago. The islands were part of a
huge river delta. Over eons, the islands were covered by thousands
of feet of sediments, and were 'pressure compacted' into rock.
About 165 million years ago, the rock was fractured and uplifted to
its present altitude of 1650 feet. During the last Ice Age, a
glacier cut-into and unearthed the rock. Since that time a lush,
mixed forest has grown over the site.
A "mixed" forest of deciduous trees and conifers grows over the
formation. Dominant species are beech, maple, cherry, ash, birch
and hemlock. Other varieties include: oak, poplar, locust, apple,
pine, yew, hawthorn, cucumber [magnolia family], walnut, elm, etc.
It is said that the forest has never been harvested for timber, and
some of the trees are very old. The soil is thin and poor. In
search of vital nutrients, the trees send their roots snaking over
rocks, down cliffs and deep into crevices. Some roots are longer
than the tree trunks are tall! Ferns, mosses and wildflowers
abound.
There is a one-mile self-guided hiking trail around the park.
The hiking trail is not handicapped-or stroller-accessible (put
small children in a back pack carrier). Children under 18 must be
accompanied by an adult. Disposable items are not permitted in the
scenic area and pets are not permitted.
In order to log your find, you must email the following to me at
mskardiacNOSPAM@gmail.com (take out the NO SPAM before you send the email...)
1. Submit a photo of the unique stamp on your hand as
proof of paid admission. DO NOT POST THIS PHOTO WITH YOUR LOG!
2. Provide me with the name of the unique rock located
here: N 42° 04.375 W 079° 29.174. This rock's nickname is not
on the map that Craig will give you so you may need to do a little
fact-finding. Also, submit a photo of yourself here with your
GPS. AGAIN, DO NOT SUBMIT THIS PHOTO WITH YOUR LOG!
3. Why is the Fat Man Miserable?
4. Why do you think Paradise Alley is so named?
5. How high do you think the wall is at Paradise Alley?
Please feel free to post any photos other than those that are
required in your log; I'd love to see them!
For more information, visit the Panama Rocks website at
www.panamarocks.com.
