Kodachrome Basin EarthCache
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Kodachrome Basin State Park
Kodachrome Basin State Park was named after Kodak Film Corp's film by the National Geographical Society because the park contains many eroded, multi-colored rock formations. These colors include various shades of yellow, red, pink, white and brown. Match that with clear blue skies and green vegetation to get all the colors you would want to see on film.
The unique feature of this state park are the many spires or chimneys, known as sand pipes, which are thought to be solidified sediment that filled ancient springs or geysers.
There are nearly 70 monolithic spires, ranging from six to 170 feet in height. These natural rock towers stand as sentries of the park and campground.
Geologists believe that the sedimentary pipes found at Kodachrome Basin most likely originated as injections of liquified sand, triggered by earthquakes or as the remnants of ancient springs. The spires you see today were left standing after the softer Entrada sandstone surrounding them eroded away. So you have geysers, like what are found in Yellowstone, that have filled with sand and then hardened to form a sort of concreate. Then the softer ground around them eroded away leaving these sand pipes standing up in the air.
There are many trails to be explored. Some built as handicap accessable, other require some real steep, narrow trail hiking. There are other hikes that are pretty flat, but sand based, that you can walk or bike.
There are two arches in the area, one in the park and the other about 10 miles away.
The state park offers horse back tours, cabins and plenty of camping sites.
To log this cache you must visit this site and answer the questions by sending me an email (please do not post answers, they will be deleted) and post a photo of your favorite sand pipe.
1. About how tall is the Ballerina Spire?
2. About how big around is the Fred Flintstone Spire?
3. What happened to the Dino Spire?
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