Stove Pipe Rock Earthcache!
Welcome to the Kentucky River!
Cav Scout has found the mighty Chimney Rock formation and it was a
beautiful site to behold. But as we made our way we found another
incredible, much less famous formation that deserved some
mentioning, at least in an earthcache log and cache page.
Canoe or boat to the coordinates and then look to the left and
the Stove Pipe Rock (Candlestick formation will be up on the left.
Enjoy)
As CS has pointed out, Chimney Rock and Stove Pipe Rock are only
accessable by boat. The land above the rocks are on private
property on the upper ledge of the Kentucky River and seldom seen
since the river had locks and dams built on it. The roads to these
EC's are on private property and highly suggest that you do not
attempt to locate this earthcache by going through the land above.
(It just so happens that my sisters family owns the land and farm
across the river on the south side. Although you cannot access the
ATV trails, you may land your canoe at the coordinates and view
this mighty Stove Pipe Rock. If you choose to land your canoe,
please have some blaze orange as hunters like to play around the
edges of the Kentucky River.
We got there with ATV's but unless you are family,
you will need to travel by boat.
Stratigraphic Limestone Rock!
A stratigraphic section of Ordovician limestone exposed in the
rock formation shoes the less-resistant and thinner beds are
composed of shale.
Because of impurities, such as clay, sand, organic remains, iron
oxide and other materials, many limestones exhibit different
colors, especially on weathered surfaces. Limestone may be
crystalline, clastic, granular, or massive, depending on the method
of formation. Crystals of calcite, quartz, dolomite or barite may
line small cavities in the rock. Folk and Dunham classifications
are used to describe limestones more precisely.
This candle stick is composed of dolomite limestone. It's the name
of a sedimentary carbonate rock and a mineral, both composed of
calcium magnesium carbonate found in crystals. Just FYI: It is
considered as the best limestone for neutralizing the pH of the
soil to produce better crops if the pH acidity gets too high in the
soil.
"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 16 minutes. There is a boat ramp at the Camp Nelson Camp
Ground. Do not attempt to climb up to Stove Pipe Rock! Its very
steep and you could fall to your death. The sides of the hill are
extremely steep and its covered with poision ivy and thorns. Enjoy
the view from the river." Cav Scout. And I highly agree and dont
know how he did it.
You will be amazed at the beauty you will find on this journey. We
have seen many sides of the river from earhcaching and it always
takes our breath away. Please enjoy your time, take necessary
precautions and get ready for an awesome day!
To get credit for this EC, post a photo of you and your GPSr
like one of the above examples (try to get your group or face in
the shot too!) and answer the following questions.
1. How many stratigraphic sections of Ordovician limestone do
you see in this candlestick formation?
2. Estimate the height of Stove Pipe Rock?
3. Why might a gardener find this earthcache fascinating?
Please wait to log the cache until your have your
answers and picture ready!
I love it when a cache comes together, Strike
Anywhere.
Tie off to the side of the river, have some lunch
and enjoy your day!
River safety : Know the water
temperature and air temperature. Please wear a PFD and bring plenty
of water & food.