Illinois: Corn and...Waterfalls?
If you have ever driven through Illinois, whether its from
Chicago to St. Louis on I-55 or east/west on I-80 or I-70, your
impression of Illinois will be that of corn, corn and more corn and
all of it flat land. Millions of years ago, glaciers flatten much
of the land that is now Illinois. However the glaciers did not
extend to the tip of southern Illinois. The far tip of southern
Illinois is considered an "unglaciated" area, or in other words,
not scoured flat by pre-historic glaciers. However, even though the
glaciers did not extend to the tip of Southern Illinois, the
powerful force of the water from the melting glaciers did affect
the area and helped carve canyons. The bedrock, consisting of
sandstone and limestone is the predominant geologic feature in this
area. Southern Illinois’ fascinating geological features are the
products of millions of years of tectonic activity followed and
accompanied by thousands of years of deluge by melted glacial
waters. (http://shawnee.fws1.com/contact.html).
Today, the glacial waters have receded, but creeks fed from rain
run-off or natural springs has continued to fall through these
canyons, often creating waterfalls rivaled to those seen in the
mountains out west. |
|
The Anatomy of a Waterfall
A waterfall begins as a stream or river. It does not take much
water to create a waterfall, only time and soft rock. As the water
continues to wear away the softer rock, valleys are formed and
canyons and cliffs are created. Canyons and cliffs may be made up
of different types of rock. A resistant layer, like bedrock, will
remain at the top of the cliff, and is called a caprock. The
caprock prevents the erosion at the top of the cliff but softer
layers, like sandstone, underneath the caprock will erode as the
water flows over the cliff, forming a ledge.
As these layers are eroded away, the caprock is
left as an overhang until finally it cannot support itself and
falls as a large block. The water continues to erode more soft rock
and the process continues. For more information, visit "Waterfalls
101: How are Waterfalls formed?":
http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/featured-articles-waterfalls-101-how-are-waterfalls-formed.html
|
|
Not all waterfalls fit neatly into one category. Some falls may
begin as a cascade and end as a plunge. The type of waterfall also
depends on how much water is falling. During a drought, with little
water flowing, a waterfall may be a trickle over a ledge, but after
heavy rain, could be a Block/Sheet or Cataract.
http://worldwaterfalls.com/waterfall_types.php
|
|
Burden Falls Wilderness Area
Located in the Shawnee
National Forest, south of Harrisburg IL is the Burden Falls
Wilderness Area, designated a Wilderness Area by the Illinois
Wilderness Act of 1990. At the southern most tip of the
wilderness is Burden Falls. Burden Falls is formed by the Burden
Branch of the Saline River and is considered the highest waterfall
in Illinois.
(http://www.visitgolconda.com/node/277).
The stream falls in two sections. The upper falls is visible from
near the parking lot.
There are no designated trails in the Burden Falls Wilderness
Area. There are some scramble routes up and down the side of
the falls that people do use. Use the path that leaves the
west side of the parking area. The path heads a few hundred yards
downstream before turning and dropping into the bottom of the
canyon. From there walk up the stream to the bottom of the
Falls. This route would be more readily accessible to people
who are not avid scramblers. This area is mildly rugged and
keep in mind that you might get wet. Terrain rating is about a 2-3.
Be careful if you have small kids (or adventurous teen-agers) with
you. Please note that there are no handrails or other safety
equipment around. Get a good view of the falls and answer the
questions below to log this earthcache.
If you are adventurous and in fairly good health, take the path
to the right to descend into the canyon below the falls. The
terrain difficulty here is at least a 4. Please do not try this
with young children or if you you are in poor health or poor
physical shape. Note that the trail runs out quickly and you will
have to climb over rocks and boulders to go down to the bottom.
Take extra care going in this area. I can't imagine what the cost
of an emergency rescue would be for this area
 if you do choose to make the journey
to the bottom, the view will be spectacular and worth the effort.
Remember, gravity can help you get down, but it makes it more
difficult to get back up.
This area is open only to foot traffic or equestrian use. No
other forms of transportation is allowed beyond the parking lot
such as mountain bikes nor any motorized vehicles. Please practice
"Leave No Trace" when visiting this beautiful area. Also, if you do
find some trash, please practice CITO. Let's leave this area as
beautiful as you found it. |
|
To log this earthcache, email me the answers to
the folllowing.
- The quantity of water at the falls may vary depending on the
season and recent or lack of rainfall. Based on the waterfall you
see, what type of waterfall would you classify this and why?
- What is the layer of bedrock called at the top of the
falls?
- Take a picture of yourself with your GPS with the waterfall in
the background and add it to your log entry. If you are not able to
go to the bottom of the lower falls, take a picture of yourself on
the path to the left or right with the falls in the background. If
you are not able to get a good picture of the falls from there,
stand on the caprock near where the water falls over the edge.
(Please be careful, this is supposed to be fun, not scary). If you
do not post of a picture of yourself with your GPS, I will delete
the log entry. No hand shots either, I'd like to see your face and
your reaction to this area.
|
| Thanks to Ranger Tim Pohlman from the
Shawnee National Forest for approving this
earthcache. |
|
If you have enjoyed your visit to Burden Falls,
please tell your friends about it or better yet take them there. I
dragged my daughter there on Mother's Day and when she saw the
place, she didn't want to leave. As I stood at the bottom of the
falls and again as we walked through the canyon I had to keep
reminding myself that we were not in Colorodo or Wyoming, but in
Southern Illinois! Enjoy.
Direction to Burden Falls Wilderness
Area
From the North: Take Interstate 57
south to IL-13 in Marion IL. (exit 54). Take IL-13 east about 23
miles to Harrisburg IL. Turn Right on Commercial St. (IL-34/US45).
Follow it about a mile and turn left on IL-145. Take IL-145 south
about 11 miles to Delwood IL. Turn right (west) on the gravel road
to Bell Smith Springs. Continue for 4.5 miles to the parking area
on the right for Burden Falls Wilderness. The water flowed over the
road just before the parking lot.
From the South: Take Interstate 24 north
to IL-146 (exit 16). Drive east on Illinois 146 for less than mile
to Illinois 147. Turn left onto Illinois 147, and drive 13 miles to
Illinois 145. Turn left onto Illinois 145, and drive 12 miles. Turn
left (west) on the gravel road to Bell Smith Springs. Continue for
4.5 miles to the parking area on the right for Burden Falls
Wilderness. The water flowed over the road just before the parking
lot. |
|
|
Sources:
http://worldwaterfalls.com/waterfall_types.php
http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/featured-articles-waterfalls-101-how-are-waterfalls-formed.html
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cwe/rra/site28.html
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou/recreation/geology/waterfalls.shtml
http://www.shawneetourism.com/history.html
http://www.visitgolconda.com/node/277
http://michelesworld.net/dmm/waterfal/States/Illinois/burden.htm |