Confluence of the Clinch and the Big Cedar EarthCache
Confluence of the Clinch and the Big Cedar
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The Confluence is a short
drive from Lebanon, Virginia. With this cache, you will see a two
Earthcaches. a waterfall and part of a major watershed. Park in the
main parking lot, cross the swinging bridge and follow trail to the
Confluence
.
From The Air
What is a
Confluence?
Geographically speaking, a confluence is where two or more
bodies of water converge. It can be referred to as the point where
a tributary joins a more major stream. The major river (stream) is
called the mainstream, when that river is also the highest order
stream in the drainage basin. In this case, the major river and/or
mainstream is the Clinch River. Our
Confluence is the junction
(convergence) of the Big Cedar and the Clinch River. The Clinch is
a large watershed flowing from Virginia into Northeast
Tennessee.
From the Ground
About the Clinch
The Clinch River rises in Southwest Virginia near Tazewell,
VA and flows southwest through the Great Appalachian Valley,
gathering various tributaries including the Powell River before
joining the Tennessee River in East Tennessee. The Clinch River is
the crown of the mountain empire rising in southwestern Virginia
and flowing southwest through the Great Appalachian Valley. It
gathers various tributaries including the Powell River before
joining the Tennessee River in East Tennessee. The Clinch flows
approximately 300 miles. The Clinch and Powell River drainage
basins are separated by Powell Mountain. The Clinch River was named
after an otherwise forgotten explorer who played a major role in
the exploration and settlement of Southwest Virginia.
The most famous explorer to walk the banks of the Clinch
River and challenge its currents was Daniel Boone. Boone negotiated
the river during his many trips through Southwest Virginia. The
Clinch supports a unique assemblage of aquatic life. The river is
home to about 50 species of mussels, which is more than any other
river in the world and over 100 species are non-game fish - minnows
and darters that sport brilliant colors and play a vital role in
the survival of other fish and mussel species. But, the variety of
sport fish is what makes the Clinch a great destination for
anglers.
About the Big
Cedar
The Big Cedar is a favorite among white water enthusiasts.
It is often run from Lebanon, Virginia to the confluence with the
Clinch. This nine mile stretch contains rapids from class I to
class III. Along the way, several sandstone/conglomerate islands
and boulders must be dodged. The Big Cedar crashes over erosion
resistant sandstone that is the bed rock of the Big Cedar.
At the confluence, an island has formed at the point where
the streams converge. Shortly, approximately ¼ of a mile, before
the confluence, the Big Cedar flows past a towering
dolomite/sandstone chimney pillar called “The Pinnacle”. The
Pinnacle reaches several hundred feet above the Big Cedar. You
will need to determine the actual height later. You will walk
past the Pinnacle and a lovely waterfall, named the Big Falls, on
the way to the confluence. Also, don’t miss the grave of a
Revolutionary War soldier at the small cemetery which will be on
your left. A State Park, Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, is
available here and is where you must go to visit. The Confluence of
the Clinch and the Big Cedar. The Big Cedar crashes over several
layers of erosion resistant sandstone on its way to the Clinch. The
Big Cedar takes its name from the surrounding northern white cedars
which are generally uncommon this far south. If you are up to it,
take the upward hike to the Copper Ridge Overlook for a fantastic
view of the confluence and the surrounding valley. You will see
trail markers which guide the way.
Pinnacle Rock
The Big Falls
More on the Area's
Geology
The area is named for the previously mentioned Pinnacle
Rock. The underlying bedrock has created an assortment of
geological features. The bedrock was deposited some 500 million
years ago when the area was under a calm shallow sea. Calcareous
and sandy deposits were compressed into limestone and sandstone. A
lot of the limestone was changed chemically with the infusion of
magnesium. This in turn created dolomite which is much harder than
the original limestone. The differing rates of erosion of the
limestone, sandstone and dolomite have given rise to the many
interesting geological features of the area. The Pinnacle, reaching
several hundred feet to the sky, was created by the down cutting of
the Big Cedar as well as dissolving action of the groundwater. Also
with this down cutting of the Big Cedar, the entire gorge was
created. The Big Falls of the Big Cedar was formed over several
erosion resistant layers of sandstone. Another feature is the many
caves in the area which were formed by the erosion of the
limestone. This definitely would be classified as a karst
area!
This rich geological diversity has led to a lot of
biological diversity. In the limestone cliffs and cracks grow rare
plants which must be supported by a limestone ecology and its
associated ph levels. Other rare plants are found along the sandy
banks of the Big Cedar which require a more acidic environment.
Most of these rare plants are on the far side of the Big Cedar thus
are in no danger of being harmed.
Please Note: In order for you to claim a find of the
Confluence you must do the following: 1. Post a photo of you
and your GPS with the Confluence
in the background. An alternative would be your GPS, minus
yourself, with the Confluence in the background. Email (only)
answers to the following questions: A. Which of the two
streams is the widest? B. Which appears to have the faster
flow? C. On the way to the
Confluence observe the
dolomite/sandstone Pinnacle and estimate the height. P.S. There is
a nearby cheat (sign!) Again, please email only and do not post the
answers with your log.
Have a wonderful time while visiting the Park and the
Confluence. Be sure to take care
of the area and leave no trace. Beside the need of the required
photo, be sure to have the camera handy to take a lot of pictures
at this extremely scenic area.
This Earthcache was approved by the
Geological Society of America
| We have earned GSA's highest
level: |
 |
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Qba'g snyy va gur Snyyf!
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