Inside the Ravine Gardens State Park EarthCache EarthCache
Inside the Ravine Gardens State Park EarthCache
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Welcome to Ravine Gardens State Park EarthCache
Please send all answers Before logging this earth cache. Failure to do so will result in your log being deleted.
This ravine was created over thousands of years by water flowing from the sandy ridges on the shore of the St. Johns River.
A ravine is a land formation much narrower then a caynon with Fluvial slopes creating a relatively very steep downward slopes ending in a river or stream bed. A ravine which is in fact a deep narrow valley in the earths surface which has been eroded by flowing water.
This type of land formation is called a Steep Head Ravine. Ravines may or may not have active flowing streams. Many areas of the ravine have small springs which feed into the ravine. These springs are normaly called Boil Springs. These Boil springs are small or large water pockets in the earths surface and actualy the water appears to boil to the surface.
As the water from the springs at the top of the ravine wash the natural materials away the ravine continues to grow larger. There are other small Boil springs along the bottom of the ravine that over time form smaller valleys. These smaller springs continue to deepen the ravine and even widen it in some points.
The White Water Branch flows through the ravine and out conecting with the Saint Johns River. This is the largest branch that flows within the ravines slopes. This Branch is fed by 7 natural springs most of which can be viewed up close along the Springs Trail.
In 1933, this ravine was transformed into a dramatic garden by the federal Works Progress Administration. A 1.8-mile paved road winds around the ravine, offering motorists, bicyclists and walkers a view of these Beautiful gardens. Beautiful Magnolia trees and Azaleas will line the ravine and many parts of this park. Wild flowers will be seen all along the trails and walk ways.
Trails posted for hiking will take you down into the ravine where you will see many wonders of nature.
Hours of Operation Ravine Gardens State Park is open 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 a year, including holidays. This includes the formal gardens, natural ravine, trails and the 1.8 mile drive around the ravine.
Admission Fees – $5.00 per vehicle for up to 8 people $2.00 for pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers & passengers in vehicles with holder of annual individual entrance permit. Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries. For Information about Ravine Gardens State Park, please call 386-329-3721.
Many Thanks go out to Park Services Specialist Alfred Bea for his help in setting up and allowing this Earthcache.
To claime credit for this cache you must do the following . E-mail me through my profile the Information asked below.
(1) Go to the following cords N29 38.149 W081 38.912. Here you will be standing on an observation platform. From this point you will see off to your left one of the many natural springs more so called a Boil Spring down in the ravine.
In your own oppinion what is the diameter of the Boil Spring seen off to the left of this vantage point?
In your oppinion how deep would you say this spring is acording to the surface around it?
(2) Now proceed to the following cords N29 38.065 W081 38.745. Here you will be at another observation platform over looking the Ravine. Look out over the ravine and enjoy the beauty and if you like you can walk down into the ravine here.
Estimate the distance in feet from the bottom of the ravine to the bottom of the Supension Bridge?
Off to your right from this point there is a Large Natural object within the ravine that stands alone. Tell me what this object is
(3) Continue on to the following cords N29 37.873 W081 38.878. Here you will be at an Information board with some instresting facts about this beautiful park. Here you will get the answers to the next two questions.
Acording to the information board what is the approximate size in acres of this park?
OPTIONAL!!!! Take a picture of you and your GPS at this Information Board. Please stand in front of the sign so the information can not be read. If you chose to do so please take another picture of something you enjoyed while here and post with your log.
I hope you all enjoy this beautiful place and this EarthCache. Thanks for coming out.
All points needed to complete this earth cache are wheel chair accessable.
Additional Hints
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