GC17864 Ice Mine (Earthcache) in Pennsylvania, United States created by jfigel

GC17864 ▼

A cache by jfigel Message this owner

Hidden : 11/5/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Please stay on the trails.

The "Ice Mine" is located in Trough [troff] Creek State Park in central Pennsylvania. There is parking nearby and no bushwacking is necessary.

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.

Ice Mine was probably a prospect hole for early iron miners. The did not discover iron ore, but did create a natural refrigerator. In the winter, cold air diffuses up into the loose rock of the hillside. In the spring and summer, cold air flows down the mountainside and into the ice mine. This causes melting snow water to refreeze when it hits the cold air in the mine. Humid summer air adds more ice until all of the cold air has left the hillside.

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. At the entrance of the mine itself, there is a rusted metal hook. What is attached to the metal hook?

2. Approximately how deep is the mine? You might need a flashlight.

3. What season does the mine STOP forming ice?

4. What type of stone is the mine comprised of?

5. Snap a photo of yourself and GPS in front of the "Ice Mine" sign.