West Bend's Extra Special Esker EarthCache
West Bend's Extra Special Esker
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is not your typical geocache; it is an Earthcache. Instead of looking for a "cache container," you will be brought to a geological feature. This Earthcache was placed to commemorate West Bend's 4th Annual Cache Ba$h.
ABOUT THIS LOCATION: This Earthcache is along a public hiking trail in the city of West Bend named the Glacial Blue Hills Recreation Area. Take exit 71 on I-45, go west a short distance to the shopping center on the north side of Washington Street. The listed coordinates are at the southern end of this glacial feature with parking nearby.
GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION: The West Bend area is in the Kettle Interlobate Moraine and has world-class examples of glacially formed features. This one is no exception and is, in fact, extra special for a number of reasons. First, though, a review of explaining the creation of an esker.
TRY to picture what occurred when the glacier containing many rocks of various sizes and sand began to melt. On this western edge of the Lake Michigan Lobe of the enormous glacier called the Laurentide Ice Sheet an extensive amount of meltwater including rocks and sand would be moving. Some of it would flow into holes in the ice, flow through channels in the ice and then on the bottom of the glacier, and finally exit at the glacier's edge.
THE rocks and sand deposited from the meltwater that went through this particular channel would become this extra special snakelike-shaped esker. Meltwater has the ability to move uphill because it is enclosed in the glacier, and there is tremendous pressure to force the meltwater to behave in such a manner. The esker's birth, when the glacier had melted away from it, would have been prior to 10,000 years ago.
NOTICE the changing surface of the trail; often rocks or just soil, sometimes large gravel or small, or a mixture, and occasionally sand. This gives a good indication what the esker's interior contains. It is filled with many erratics of all sizes, brought here by the glacier and deposited by its meltwater.
MANY eskers, or parts of them, have been bisected by streams, quarried for gravel, a section removed for a road cut, or damaged for other reasons. This esker, though, remains quite pristine and rather long, making it extra special. The elevation and height of this esker make it special, too. Its slope is also something to marvel at. Furthermore, this exceptional esker is exquisitely crowned by the extraordinary National Scenic Ice Age Trail. In addition, this esker EarthCache is dedicated to the 2011 "Mega" Cache Ba$h. All of this should place it high on the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of West Bend!
EARTHCACHE INFORMATION: Bring your camera, a compass and a watch (timer). To receive credit for this EarthCache, please complete the following: 1. (Optional but appreciated) Take a photo with your GPS somewhere on the esker. Upload it with your log-in. Note as of 1/1/11 photos are optional. 2. E-mail to me answers to the following: 2a. While walking northward on the Ice Age Trail for at least 10 minutes, decide where the esker's elevation is the highest. The elevation here is_________,coordinates are___________________________, estimated height of esker is ____________, and slope description is_________________. 2b. Using your compass, the primary direction of the esker appears to be ____-____ and the meltwater flowed from _____to_____. 2c. Evidence on the trail that meltwater could flow somewhat uphill is __________________. You do NOT need to wait for confirmation from me before logging your find. Please do not make any reference to these answers in your log.
I am a proud Gold EarthCache Master!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)