Lone Tree Bluff Scenic Overlook EarthCache EarthCache

This is not your typical geocache, it is an earthcache, you will not a "cache container" rather, an earthcache is designed to bring you to a geological feature. See http://www.earthcache.org/ for further details.

Wisconsin is one of the best places to witness the many landforms created by the Ice Age glaciers. Your quest for this Earthcache is a visit to the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit.

Lone Tree Bluff is a Wisconsin State area so you would either need to purchase a yearly sticker or pay a daily admission fee. Stickers can be purchased at the Visitor Center for the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit located at S91 W39091 Hwy 59 Eagle 53119. The posted hours are 6 AM – 11 PM daily. Pets are also not permitted. The Parking Lot is located at the base of the bluff.

Lone Tree Bluff Scenic Overlook is part of the Kettle Moraine. Did you know the Kettle Moraine is a narrow corridor between the Lake Michigan and Green Bay lobes of the glaciers? When the lobes began to melt some 10,000 years ago, the glacier deposited its load of rock and soil into a series of hills, ridges, and depressions that stretched over 100 miles in length. Lone Tree Bluff is part of this moraine. The bluff stands many feet above sea level.

While out scouting the various springs in the area prior to our All A Glow Geocaching Event held in October 2007, I came across this great overlook area. I climbed to the top and had that great sense of accomplishment because I did it, as my 2 year old nephew says “by myself”.

The Lone Tree Bluff Scenic Overlook features a numbered trail with guide to help with your discovery. I had purchased a book at the Visitors Center because there were no booklets here when I arrived. The guidebook is free to use but a $.25 donation is requested to help offset printing costs. The hike involves climbing uphill 89 deep steps and then a .25 mile walk to get the bird’s eye view of the glacial landscape. I would not recommend this location for young children. Please geocache within your limits as the terrain rating should be appropriate for the climb up. The hike across the bluff does involve another uphill climb.

Please be advised that hunting is permitted in this area. Geocachers are advised to wear blaze orange during the gun deer seasons. The seasons change each year, in 2007, the gun deer seasons are October 18-21 and November 17 – December 9. In general, be careful when hiking in the Kettle Moraine during these times!

Marker #1 explains the formation of the Kettle Moraine as stated above on this page. Marker #2 highlights the Oak openings. Oak openings look like grassy parks with bur and white oak scattered about. Wildfires kept the area open from shrubs and other trees but with the development of the area, the fires stopped. The DNR is working with prescribed burnings to re-establish the rare plant community that once was here. Marker #3 highlights the name sake of this bluff, The Lone Tree. The story goes that there once was a very large bur oak tree at this location. The tree died in the 1960’s but its descendents grow strong.

MORE GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION

The Lone Tree Bluff Overlook view lends itself to another geological feature. Marker #4 highlights the view of the Outwash Plain. At the base of the bluff is an outwash plan which formed when the Wisconsin glacier melted. These melted streams flowed in front of the glacial ice, carrying huge amounts of sand and gravel. In many outwash areas, large fertile prairies developed. These prairies were later plowed and used for agricultural purposes like you will see here.

Marker #5 features the view of the “Heart Prairie”. The story is in 1837, pioneer James Holden stood at this lookout and saw a wide-open prairie with a distinct heart-shaped outline. This is how the Heart Prairie was named. Today you will see farm fields, pasture and woodlands where this prairie once stood.

YOUR TASK TO LOG THIS EARTHCACHE

To log this earthcache, you must complete 2 tasks. The coordinates given are for a marker atop the bluff.

1) BRING YOUR CAMERA.

We would like a photo of your team with your GPSr by the Trail marker at the given coordinates. However, if you are solo caching, a photo of your GPSr with enough of the lake in the background that can be identified, will also be accepted. Please upload your photo(s) with your “found it" log. I am looking forward to seeing the seasonal changes of this area!

2) Tell me the elevation of this bluff.

Take an elevation reading at the base of the stairs, compare this to your elevation reading at the given coordinates. Email me your answer.

Please be advised, failure to complete BOTH 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 your answer in your log.

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The Geocache Notification Form has been approved by Paul Sandgren, Forest Superintendent of the Southern Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://www.wi-geocaching.com/hiding