The formation of medicine rocks state park began about 60 million
years ago. At that time, a huge inland lake covered much of the
northern Great Plains. The climate was warm and tropical.
Fossils found in the rocky formations of the park attest to the
existence of pre-historic plants and animals that existed here
during that time. The swampy, forested margins of this huge,
ancient sea teemed with mollusks (clams and other forms of ocean
life), turtles and small mammals, as well as palm trees, water
lilies and other vegetation.
Cutting through the lush swamps were slow moving, shallow,
silt-laden rivers which transported sediments from the newly
forming Rocky Mountains. Some of these sediments were deposited as
sand bars. Medicine Rocks represents the fossilized river channel
of one of these ancient streams. Compaction, great pressure and
eons of time turned the sediments to sandstone.
Over the ages, wind, water, and temperature extremes constantly
wore away the rock. The more resistant materials survived this
erosion; these are the knobs and pillars we view today. The park's
formations owe there pockmarked features to natural and dynamic
events, for it is the selective weathering process that gives the
rock a Swiss cheese-like effect.
Native Americans early recognized the distinctiveness of
Medicine Rocks. They used the area as a vision quest site, meeting
place, shelter, and as a lookout to spot enemies and bison.
During the 1800s, Theodore Roosevelt camped at Medicine Rocks
and commented: "The sun was just setting when we crossed the final
ridge and come in sight of as singular a bit of country as I have
ever seen. Over an irregular tract of gently rolling sandy hills.
were scattered several hundred detached and isolated buttes or
cliffs of sandstone. cut and channeled by the weather into the most
extraordinary forms; caves, columns, battlements, spires, and
flying buttresses were mingled in the strangest confusion. the sand
gave everything a clean, white look. Altogether it was as
fantastically beautiful a place as I have ever seen."
In an effort to make a disability friendly Earth cache, there
are two levels of difficulty for finding this cache. There is a
moderate level, and an easy level. The moderate level requires you
to walk off the road a little bit where a wheelchair would not go.
The easy level is made for people with disabilities that would make
walking off the trail difficult or impossible.
TO FIND THE MODERATE LEVEL
YOU MUST DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. Go to these coordinates: N 46 02.736, W 104 27.500. This is
the entrance to the park and an informational sign is here. Answer
the following question: The soft sandstone that makes Medicine
rocks is very susceptible to wind erosion. Explain what wind
erosion does to the sandstone here and explain crossbedding.
2. Go to these coordinates: N 46 02.629, W 104 28.532. There is
an informational sign here. Answer the following question: The
twigs of what shrub provide protein for the mule deer that visit
here?
3. Go to the next set of coordinates: N 46 02.512, W 104 28.753.
There is an informational sign here. Answer the following question:
The Sioux aptly named Medicine rocks Inyan-oka-la-ka, What does
this translate to?
4.(Note: As of 1/1/11 taking pictures for earthcaches are
optional, not manditory to log the find) Take a picture of yourself
or group with GPS in hand in front of any rock formation in the
park. This will make for fun collage of pictures. Please post your
pictures on the cache page and email the answers to the cache
owner, do not post them in your log.
TO FIND THE EASY LEVEL YOU
MUST DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. Go to these coordinates: N 46 02.736, W 104 27.500. This is
the entrance to the park and an informational sign is here. Answer
the following question: The soft sandstone that makes Medicine
rocks is very susceptible to wind erosion. Explain what wind
erosion does to the sandstone here and explain crossbedding.
A. What was the name of the Lokota Indian that called the rocks
a place "where the spirits stayed and medicine men played"?
2.(Note: As of 1/1/11 taking pictures for earthcaches are
optional, not manditory to log the find) Take a picture with
yourself or group with gps in hand in front of any rock formation.
There are many formations right next to the road so going off road
in a wheelchair would not be necessary. Please post your picture on
the cache page and email the answer to the cache owner, do not
place it in your log.
Please enjoy this earth cache. There is camping available as
well as picnic tables and outhouses. Rattlesnakes have been spotted
so please watch your step while you enjoy this very cool state
park. All information came from informational signs in the park and
park pamphlet.