Timpanogos Glacier EarthCache
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Timpanogos Glacier
Glacier: an extended mass of ice formed from snow falling and
accumulating over the years and moving very slowly, either
descending from high mountains, as in valley glaciers, or moving
outward from centers of accumulation, as in continental
glaciers.
Mount Timpanogos displays many examples of textbook glacial
processes and provides stark evidence of the sculpting power of
moving ice. Ice Age glaciers mantled the peak until relatively
recently, and dramatically shaped the mountain into an Alpine
tableau of knife-edge ridges and yawning, U-shaped ampitheaters. A
remnant of these glaciers persists in the deeply recessed valley
below the main summit. "Timp Glacier" is a rock-covered mass found
on a long, north-facing slope, and is snow-covered for much of the
year. It exhibits morphological characteristics found in both true
glaciers and rock glaciers. Periodically-visible crevasses and
sporadically audible flowing water below the rock-strewn surface
hint at deeply-buried glacial ice, while other elements of the
"glacier", such as an apparent lack of movement, suggest to some
the jumbled assemblage may in fact be a rock glacier, composed of
unsorted lithic aggregate cemented together in an icy matrix,
flowing downhill. Furthermore, it is also possible that Timp
Glacier may indeed be a small glacier completely obscured by talus
and other debris: thus, a "rock covered glacier". The
locally-unique ice is a relic of the region's formerly colder
climate and has long been a major attraction to hikers and climbers
on the mountain. Its precise classification remains the subject of
spirited ongoing debate, whether "real" or not.
Timpanogos as seen from Silver Lake Flats
Mount Timpanogos is one of Utah's most popular hiking/climbing
destinations and is climbed year round. There are two main trails
to the top: the first starts at Aspen Grove with a trailhead
elevation of 6,910 feet (2,106 meters), and the second starts at
the Timpooneke campground in American Fork Canyon at 7,370 feet
(2,185 meters). Hikers on the trails climb through montane forest,
subalpine and alpine zones. The hike is marked by waterfalls,
conifers, rocky slopes and ridges, mountain goats, and a small
lake, Emerald Lake, at 10,380 feet (3,164 m). A short diversion
will lead hikers past a World War II bomber crash site. Other
climbing routes exist on the mountain, but they are more
technically demanding and require special skills and mountaineering
gear.
Diffculty and Terrain rating is based on the long and in some
places steep hike to get to the location. There are two trails to
the location. You can start on in American Fork Canyon and take the
Timpanookie Trail or the Aspen Grove Trail head above Sundance.
Elevations: 4,580 ft. gain, 4,840 ft. loss Timpooneke Trailhead
(start): 7,170 ft. Emerald Lake: 10,380 ft. Mount Timpanogos:
11,749 ft. Mount Timpanogos Trailhead: 6,910 ft.
To Log the Cache please send me the answeres to the following
questions:
Is the Timpanogos Glacier an actual Glacier or truly, an Ice (or
Snow) Field? or,
From the coordinates make some observations and send me an e-mail
describing the evidence of either a Glacier or Ice/Snow Field.
We would also prefer a picture of you and your party holding your
GPSr with the glacier behind you.
We will be fair in our judging.
Special thanks to the US Forest Service and the Uinta
National Forest, Pleasant Grove Ranger District for permission to
place this EarthCache.
The US Forest Service was concerned about extra traffic in the area
so PLEASE stay on the trail. There is no need to leave
it.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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