According to the Recreational guide for Trough Creek State
Park:
The 554-acre Trough Creek State Park is a scenic gorge created as
Great Trough Creek cuts through Terrace Mountain and empties into
Raystown Lake. Trough Creek State Park is in the Valley and Ridge
Province of the Appalachian Mountains. Once a great mountain range,
weathering and running water reduced the mountains into long,
narrow, sweeping ridges. Great Trough Creek still carves the
ridges, creating unique geologic features throughout the park and
deepening the Great Trough Creek Gorge.
Copperas Rocks is named for the coppery-yellow stain on the cliff
surface. the crystalline, yellow precipitate is ferrous sulfate
that leaches from a small pocket of coal. Although this substance
is one of the main pollutants in abandoned mine drainage, the small
quantity here is not harmful to the stream. The small cave at the
bottom was probably used by early settlers who used the ferrous
sulfate as a mordant off setting the dye color in cloth.
In order to log this cache, you must answer the following
questions. Answers to questions will be reviewed for accuracy and
failure to comply will result in your log deleted. Play fair and
have fun.
Do not post your answers in your log or it will be deleted.
1. Why does the sandstone here
erode more easily then in other places?
2. Is the cave at the bottom of Copperas Rocks man-made or natural?
Note: Do not guess on this question, there is a valid answer. You
need to find the correct one.
3. Snap a photo of yourself/gps in front of the cave at the bottom
of Copperas Rocks. Note: There is no need to cross the
creek.
 Kid Friendly  Less than 500
ft. from car to cache
Dangerous area - use caution  Cave  Scenic View
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This cache was placed with permission from
the DCNR Manager of Trough Creek State Park.