Rockhouse at Rock Glen EarthCache
Hidden : 7/30/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Rockhouse at Rock Glen Earthcache

IMPORTANT: In order to log this earthcache, you will have to hike down the gorge. Excercise caution when navigating the rocky and wet terrain. The depth of the water varies along the river's path.

There is an admission fee to enter the conservation area. Visit Rock Glen Conservation Area for more information.

Rock Glen Conservation Area.
Located on the outskirts of Arkona, Rock Glen Conservation Area is a unique island of nature within the Ausable Bayfield watershed. The geology of the area was shaped by the melting of the Wisconsin Glacier, about 13,000 years ago.

Waterfalls and Rockhouses.
A waterfall is a place where water flows over a vertical drop in the course of a stream or river. Most waterfalls are the result of many years' of action of water on the underlying strata (layers of sedimentary rock). Typically, a stream will flow across an area of formations, and more resistant rock strata will form shelves across the streamway, elevated above the further stream bed when the less erosion-resistant rock around it disappears. Over a period of years, the edges of this shelf will gradually break away and the waterfall will steadily move upstream.

Often, the rock strata just below the more resistant shelf will be of a softer type, and will erode out to form a shallow cave-like formation known as a rockhouse (also known as a rock shelter) under and behind the waterfall. Some of this erosion is caused by the flowing water. However, the most important factor in rockhouse formation is frost weathering, where the softer, more porous rock underneath is pushed off, tiny pieces at a time, by frost expansion from water frozen in the pores. Finally, as pieces of rock collapse and break off to the base of the waterfall, they erode the base of the waterfall by abrasion, creating a deep plunge pool.

The Rockhouse at Rock Glen.
The main waterfall at Rock Glen is a 10.7-metre high waterfall just upstream of the Ausable River. This main fall does not feature a prominent rockhouse. However, there are other smaller drops along the meandering gorge. A great example of a rockhouse, complete with plunge pool, has formed at another smaller waterfall drop located approximately 50m downstream from the main waterfall.

From the trailhead (see additional waypoint), you will make your way down a wood staircase to the base of the main waterfall. You will then make a short hike to the posted coordinates. Here you will find yourself standing on top of the hard rock shelf of the rockhouse.

In order to log this Earthcache, you must email team wiji (see profile for email) the answers to the following questions:

1. What is the thickness of the hard rock shelf of the rockhouse where the water cascades over?

2. In order to appreciate the amount of erosion that has occurred to the soft rock under the hard shelf, estimate the distance from the front face of the hard rock shelf to the back wall of the rockhouse? Use the center of the rockhouse as a reference point for estimating this measurement.

3. -OPTIONAL- Post a photo of your team and/or your GPSr at the rockhouse. You may post this photo with your log.

++ Congratulations to ginger150 and johnnyy83 on the FTF!! ++

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