Tuff Bluffs (EarthCache) EarthCache
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Pine Bluffs boasts access to prehistoric and modern history.
This earth cache begins near a nature trail, and merges into a trip through time.
Park and walk to the coordinates at the Pine Bluffs rest Area Just off of I-80 Exit 401. If you follow the nature path to the north, it meanders through tuff (compacted volcanic ash) boulders, then merges into the geological interpretive trail. This paved trail leads to Part B part of this earthcahe: The Windows On the Past Archaeology Site.
At this dig site, archaeologists show visitors how artifacts are uncovered and explain how each artifact is handled after it is found. The dig contains objects spanning 9,000 plus years to a prehistoric time when early American cultures thrived in the area. Paleo-Indian artifacts such as arrowheads, spearheads and scraping tools have been unearthed. The site is seasonal and hourly, but if it is open, please share your adventures, experiences and photos in your log!
**Entering the site is not required to log the cache, as access is seasonal. Visiting the waypoint near the site is required.
Geology and Paleontology of the Pine Bluff area:
A Paleontologists Paradise:
The White River Formation contains numerous late Eocene and Oligocene vertebrate, invertebrate and plant fossils this area. It is composed of terrestrial sedimentary rocks (300 meters thick), including mudstones, siltstones, sandstones, minor conglomerates, and volcanic tuffs.
It is a classic paleoenvironment for preserving a terrestrial fauna. The occurrence of more than 13 volcanic tuffs (airfall ash deposits) within the White River Formation interspersed with numerous excellent fossils and magnetically susceptible rocks provides a unique and scientifically exciting control to the geology of this area that is unparalleled.
Geological Formations:
The Ogallala formations, named after a band of Sioux Indians covers the high plains around Cheyenne, and extends to the Nebraska and Colorado state lines on Interstate 80 and Interstate 25, respectively. The Ogallala formation gathers rainfall and snow-melt in this area, and caries it underground to the east to become a major ground water aquifer beneath the Great Plains. The underlying White River formation is exposed along incised stream channels and road cuts.
Wyoming ’s White River formation is composed of lighted colored tuffaceous claystone, sandstone, and lenses of conglomerate. Tuffaceous refers to volcanic ash from distant volcanoes that was carried across Wyoming by westerly winds, and deposited with river mud and sands.
There are two ways to find the information you need for logging this Earthcache.
1. Park at coordinates for a nice short hike.
2. Park at each waypoint and gather your info. You can technically drive to both, which makes this more accessible to those with a physical disability.
To log this cache, visit both Part A and Part B, (walk from A to B along the trailif you are able) and answer the following questions to the best of your ability:
PART A
N 41 10.381
W 104 04.433
Questions:
How large would estimate the tuff boulders to be? Describe their color and texture. How do you think these boulders developed this texture? Include any other information about the boulders you would like to share.
Now got to:
N 41 10.441
W 104 04.762
Part B Questions:
Look southeast from the museum. How tall would you estimate this bluff to be, and what stone would you guess is the most prominent in the composition of this bluff?
Email your answers to:
isisfan1@yahoo.com
Here and farther back in the bluffs, much has been learned about tribes that gathered to hunt Bison, at one time as many as the sands of the river bottom, or camped briefly to rest in this welcoming spot before continuing their migration east or west. Gaze at the bluff’s tree-studded walls and imagine the Indian encampments set in nearby Lodgepole Creek’s wooded bends; dozens of white teepees assembled a few yards apart, columns of blue smoke lazily rising from cooking fires, while children play.
Over 300 teepee rings have been found on the bluffs. At the dig, there’s an exhibit displaying both ceremonial and other stone circle sites discovered in these encampments.
More Recent History:
This area was part of the Texas Trail and important trade site.
It also is ranked as the 20th highest point in Wyoming (wow!)
Stop in at the Information Center at the Rest Area for area maps and information.
Don't forget to ask for a copy of the pamphlet "Highest Point in Nebraska and Three-State Corner Marker — You Can See Them Both".
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)