Pawnee Buttes Trail Wash EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This EarthCache is found on the Pawnee National Grassland, a part of the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, and is located on the trail leading to the Pawnee Buttes. This trail is open year-round, though please note that the Overlook Trail and the Lips Bluff Trail are closed from March 1 – June 30 each year for nesting raptors. Cultural and paleontological features on the Grassland are protected by law and must not be removed.
From the parking area, walk down the trail (Trail 840) to the site of the coordinates. This will be a spot where the force of the water has cut deeply into the layers of mudstone and siltstone of the White River Formation. The White River Formation was formed during the Oligocene Epoch, around 25 – 30 million years ago, and is present in many of the “badland” formations found in the High Plains.
The distinctive look of this type of wash is caused by the way that erosion cuts into the White River Formation material. During severe rain events, the soft sediments are rapidly down-cut, and with no harder material to resist, steep V-shaped walls are formed.
To log this EarthCache, complete the following:
1.) Measure or estimate the height of the cut bank at this location and send the answer to me in an email.
Please consider posting photos of yourself, or the local geology, when you log this EarthCache. Photos can be an additional rewarding part of your journey, but posting them is not a requirement for logging this EarthCache, and is strictly optional.
The above information was compiled from the following sources:
2003. Colorado Geological Survey. Messages in Stone. Matthews et al., eds.
2004. Hopkins R.L., and Hopkins L.B. Hiking Colorado’s Geology.
2004. U.S. Forest Service. An Introduction to the Pawnee Buttes.
Thanks to the Pawnee National Grasslands, for allowing placement of this EarthCache!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)