Bryan Overlook EarthCache
Hidden : 9/14/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


Located in East Tennessee's Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness, this area is home to a section of the Cumberland Trail.

The trailhead and parking can be easily reached from via Highway 27. Turn onto Walnut Grove Road north and proceed 3/4 of a mile to Back Valley Road and turn left. Proceed 7/10 of a mile to an unmarked gravel road (Richland Creek Road) and turn right. Proceed about 1 mile to the parking area at the end of Richland Creek Road. It is open year round for day use. You are required to register to park after sunset at the trailhead. There is no fee.



To log this earthcache find, you must fulfill the following requirements:

  • 1.) Picture requirement:
    My intentions are to have you post your picture with the overlook in the background. If you refuse to post your face in the picture, then each log must have a unique picture for each log. Tilting the picture with a photo program will not be acceptable for unique. Group photos must reference who's picture you are in otherwise. A unique picture must be included with every log if you are not in the picture. .
    Remember that I will delete your log if you post a find saying you will upload the picture or send answers at a later time. Please use the "write a note" feature.


  • Email to me, via the profile link above, the answers to the following questions:
    • What is an alternate name for this overlook?
    • Use the altimeter function of your GPS at the listed coordinates, and at N35* 33.001 W85* 01.912. What is the difference in elevation?
    • What is your estimation of the amount of time required for the forces of nature to cut this elevation differential?
Any claimed finds without proper documentation will be deleted without notice.




This area occurs on the Walden Ridge of the Cumberland Plateau and contains a canyon that is deeply dissected by Morgan, Henderson, Laurel, and Richland Creeks. The site is named after two scenic waterfalls, Laurel Falls (80 feet) and Snow Falls (35 feet). Snow Falls can be reached by following the trail as it forks to the left going west. The trail to the right leads to the top of Laurel Falls. The distance for both trails is about 10.5 miles round trip. The Laurel-Snow trail was the first National Recreation Trail designated in Tennessee.

A canyon is a deep valley between cliffs often carved in the Earth by a river. Most canyons originate by a process of long-time erosion from a plateau level. The cliffs form because harder rock strata that are resistant to erosion and weathering remain exposed on the valley walls. Canyons are much more common in arid areas than in wetter areas because weathering has a lesser effect in arid zones. Canyons' walls are often formed of resistant sandstones or granite. The word canyon is Spanish in origin (cañón).

Throughout the ages, every minute of every day, rocks are being worn down by wind and rain. Tiny grains of dirt, sand, mud and clay are worn off and washed into streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. When these tiny bits of sand and dirt settle to the bottom of the water, they are called sediment. Minerals in the water and microscopic, or very tiny sea animals also get mixed in with the dirt and sand to form the sediment. Every day more sediment piles on top of what is already there. After thousands and millions of years we end up with a really deep pile of sediment. The weight and pressure from all the material on top turns the sediment on the bottom into sedimentary rock. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock that is made up mostly of tiny grains of quartz. Most sandstone is formed in oceans, lakes and rivers. Sandstone can be found in many colors and has a texture that feels like sandpaper.

How was this canyon formed? As these creeks have fed into the Tennessee River throughout history, they have slowly eroded the landscape to form this canyon, leaving the rock strata exposed to view.

The land use history of this area remains evident in places. Logging and deep mining took place in some portions of the area in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Some remnants of the mining activities can still be seen along the trail near the parking area. Part of Henderson Creek was dammed to serve as the Dayton Reservoir and was once the water supply for the town of Dayton. The low dam across the stream can still be seen, although water is no longer collected here for the town. Enjoy your visit!



Sources: canyon. wikipedia.com. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorge (accessed: March 2, 2009). sandstone. www.123helpme.com. Sedimentary. http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=148004 (accessed: March 2, 2009).
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