Land of Clinker EarthCache

This cache requires hiking a trail. It is not wheelchair accessible. No dogs are allowed on any trail. The trail may not be passable during or after recent rainfall due to wet, slippery clay and running streams.

This EarthCache began over 60 million years ago and can be found in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. This park is split into three units – The North Unit, South Unit and Elkhorn Ranch Unit – comprising over 70,000 acres.

The posted coordinates will take you to the park’s North Unit Visitor Center. While the park is open year-round, the Visitor Center is open daily Memorial Day through September from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Central Time. The rest of the year it is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, or as staffing< permits. If you plan to visit during the off season, please call ahead (701-842-2333) to make sure the visitor center will be open. The North Unit Visitor Center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The $10 entrance fee is good for seven days.

This is an EarthCache. It will require you to research and discover information about the geology of this park. If you aren’t familiar with EarthCaches, please visit www.earthcache.org and read about these special caches.

The park was created in 1947 as Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park; it became a National Park in 1978. The park commemorates the 26th president’s conservation ideas. He so loved the area that he invested in two local cattle operations which he remained active in for many years. His love of the badlands and its natural wonders helped develop his desire to preserve and protect the natural resources of the entire country. This conservation drive continued through his presidency, resulting in the establishment of the U.S.Forest Service, 150 National Forests, 51 Federal Bird Reservations, 4 National Game Preserves, 24 Reclamation Projects, 18 National Monuments, and 5 National Parks.

At the end of the Cretaceous period and the beginning of the Paleocene age (about 65 million years ago), two of the earth’s tectonic plates collided to form the Rocky Mountains. Water, wind and freezing conditions worked to break down the mountains, creating sediments. At the same time, the western part of North America had active volcanoes spewing ash high into the atmosphere. For millions of years, large amounts of these sediments and ash were carried by rivers from the eastern slopes of the Rockies, depositing them in the badlands in layers. Over time, the sediments were turned into sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, and bentonite clay.

Throughout most of the Eocene, Oligocene and Miocene eras, ancient rivers meandered through the plains of western Dakota and eastern Montana. Although these rivers changed course many times, one river existed in about the same position as the modern Little Missouri River. The rivers continued northeastward through what is now Canada to Hudson Bay. At the end of the Pliocene era, geologic events changed the course of the river.

The Little Missouri River winding through the park has been the architect for much of the splendor that you see today. It started around 2 million years ago, as the river began cutting through those deposits, leaving the present colorful formations. Some layers erode faster than others, creating unusual shapes and designs. This is a process that continues today. When you return to the park in 10 years you may see changes in the landscape.

As you drive through the scenic roads and hike the nature trails, you can explore the beauty that exists today. You might also be fortunate enough to see bison, bighorn sheep, elk, and prairie dogs, as well as petrified wood and fossils.

As a reminder -- The Visitor Center is open daily Memorial Day through September from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Central Time. The rest of the year it is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, or as staffing permits. The North Unit Visitor Center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you plan to visit the park during the off season, please call ahead (701-842-2333) to make sure the visitor center will be open. You will need info from the Visitor Center to complete this cache.

The information you will need for this cache is obtained at:

• The Visitor Center. While there, ask for the brochure “Geology of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.”
• Pull-outs along the road, and
• On the nature trail located at the following coordinates: N 47 36.597 W 103 21.354. NO pets are allowed on any trail in the park. Pick up a trail guide at the trailhead.

• Email me the answers to the following:
• 1. What is the difference between South-facing slopes and North-facing slopes?
  2. What caused the Little Missouri River to change direction about 2 million years ago?
  3. Locally called “clinker” or “scoria,” what do geologists call hard natural brick?
  4. What causes slumps to occur?
  5. How are Cannon Balls made?
  6. What is a coulee?
• Along the nature trail you will find more information about slumps. Post a photo of yourself and your GPS at this trail marker. Be sure marker number is visible. Photo must be uploaded at the time you log in your find.