This is a Cav Scout Extreme earthcache. CSE's are always worth
the find.
History became legend and legend became myth, and for many years
Chimney Rock passed out of all knowledge... Until chance came and
was discovered again...
Chimney Rock has always been here and its location is well too
known local Kentuckians who fish along the Kentucky River.
I've never heard hikers talk about this rock formation before
and wondered why. I later found out the reason was because Chimney
Rock is only accessable by boat. The land above Chimney Rock is on
private property on the upper ledge of the Kentucky River and
seldom seen since the river had locks and dams built on it. I
searched in vain for a road to Chimney Rock only to learn all the
roads to Chimney Rock are on private property and highly suggest
that you do not attempt to locate this earthcache by going through
the land above CR.
I canoed to this wonderful location on the river. All along the
way I saw birds, fish, otters, and the occassional beaver. Wildlife
is abundate here.
Several of these natural chimneys or candlesticks are to be
found along the Palisades of the Kentucky River.
Chimney Rock is made of Dolomite Limestone. It's the name of a
sedimentary carbonate rock and a mineral, both composed of calcium
magnesium carbonate found in crystals.
Dolomite rock, also dolostone,is composed predominantly of the
mineral dolomite. Limestone that is partially replaced by dolomite
is referred to as dolomitic limestone.
On either side the soluble Palisade Ordovician limestones
present most interesting geological phenomena. Caves, candlesticks,
rock chimneys, rock houses, rock windows and doors, calcareous
falls, and springs, all an inspiration to the nature lover. The
bright perpendicular limestone walls of the great Palisades are
draped and festooned with many a vine and shrub. The slow moving,
government locked river mirroring on a summer's day the abrupt
forest fringed cliff and the clear blue sky afford the geocacher a
haven of delight. Broad beaches of sand the burden garnered by this
magnificent river in its winding course down through Kentucky,
provide at a number of points in the gorge splendid views.
In the silent reaches of the river, particularly at nightfall,
there is much yet to take one back to the days of the pioneer. The
occasional rudely built log cabin nestling among the trees in or
near the mouth of a cove, the fragrant odor of wood burning in an
old time fireplace, and the melancholy sounds of some distant water
fowl, create a priceless atmosphere.
If you decide to go and find this EC, take into consideration
that if you kayak or canoe to the EC it will probably take you 3 to
4 hours to complete the trip. By motor boat you can get to the EC
within 15 minutes. There is a boat ramp at the Camp Nelson Camp
Ground, this is where I launched my canoe to get to the EC.
Do not attempt to climb up to Chimney Rock! Its very steep and
you could fall to your death. The sides of the hill to CR is
extremely steep and its covered with poision ivy and thorns. Enjoy
the view from the river.
To get credit for this EC, post a photo of you (I do not accept
pictures of just a hand) with Chimney Rock in the background and
please answer the following questions.
1. How tall is Chimney Rock?
2. How many trees are on top of Chimney Rock?
3. What number is on the blue sign along the rivers edge at the
base of the rock formation?
4. What is the color of the maker above the blue sign.
| Cav Scout has earned GSA's highest
level |
 |
Do not log this
EC unless you have answered the questions and have a picture ready
to post! Logs with no photo of the actual cacher ( human face
included) logging the find or failure to answer questions or
negative comments will result in a log deletion without notice.
Exceptions will be considered if you contact me first (I realize
sometimes we forget our cameras or the batteries die). You must
post a photo at the time of logging your find. If your picture is
not ready then wait until you have a photo.
Sources of
information for the EarthCache quoted from the Kentucky Geology
information website. I have used sources available to me by using
the library, internet, research, and asking questions to get
information for this earth cache. I am by no means a geologist.
Like most people I use whats available to me to get geological
information just like 99.9 percent of the geocachers who create
these great Earth Caches. I enjoy Earth Caches and want people to
get out and see what I see every time I go and explore this great
place we live in.