Dakota Ridge Flatirons EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

Alpine Reviewer: As I have not received an update from the cache owner, I am archiving this cache to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you (the cache owner) wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the near future, please contact me, and assuming it meets the guidelines, I will be happy to unarchive it.

Alpine Reviewer
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Hidden : 2/27/2012
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:



An easy 2-mile loop trail located at South Valley Park. Three informational plaques located along the Coyote Song trail explain the unique geological formations of the area.



The flatirons of Colorado can be discovered at numerous locations along the Rocky Mountain Front. The most famous locations being the five "Flatirons" of Boulder, Red Rocks amphitheater near Morrison, Roxborough State Park west of Castle Rock, and the Garden of the Gods, near Manitou Springs. South Valley Open Space Park is one of the lesser known locations that flatirons can be found, but provides an excellent hiking and learning opportunity very close to Southwest Denver.

Geology Lesson:

Flatirons are steeply sloped, often wedge-shaped, rock formations that are created because of differential weathering. This means that the physical break down, or erosion, of different rocks occurs at different rates. The rate of the erosion is determined by several factors, including the rocks' mineral composition, surface area, climate, and exposure to the elements.

Aside from the erosion, one of the reasons the Front Range flatirons are so unique is because of the angle in which they stand. To understand how and why this has occurred, is the lesson presented in this Earthcache.

Logging Requirements:

Visit each of the three stages listed below and answer the associated questions. Answers will need to be sent to the cache owner for verification in conjunction with posting a log for this Earthcache. Incorrect, or unverified answers will result in the deletion of associated cache logs.

Stages:


Stage 1: Fountain Formation - According to the sign, what is the predominate color of this layer of rock? Why?

Stage 2: Lyons Formation - This layer of rock was formed by layers of what? What local feature has this layer created?

Stage 3: Dakota Formation - This layer of rock was formed as a sandy beach, which gives evidence of what that allows us to know dinosaurs once roamed this part of Colorado?

Final question: According to all three information plaques, the uplifting of what feature brought these rocks to the surface? Which layer of rock are the flatirons created from?

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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