A small parking spot is located near the lower bridge, and a short trail from the parking area will lead you to the upper bridge.
A canyon is a deep ravine between two cliffs that over a long period of time is carved from the landscape by the erosive power of water. The Heber River canyon is an example of that erosive power.
The geology of the Gold River area is composed largely of igneous rock (hard rock formed from volcanic lava) and limestone (softer sedimentary rock composed largely of calcite - CaCO3).
Limestone is easily erodible due to water picking up carbon dioxide (CO2) in solution from the rock which then produces an acidic (low pH) water solution. The acidic solution will dissolve the calcite and eventually wash it away downstream. A gap is then created in the landscape as a result of the acidic action, and over time, as this process continues, deep valleys (canyons) eventually form. The more erosion resistant igneous rock is left in place and eventually forms the walls along the waterway. This is what we see here today.
Rivers have a natural tendency to erode the underlying rock surface to lessen their own pitch slowing their water flow. Over geologic time, their bottoms will gradually reach a baseline elevation which is the same elevation as the body of water it will eventually drain into. The Heber canyon is located about 300 metres upstream from where the Heber River empties into the Gold River. If you look downstream from the lower bridge, you will notice that the river is relatively flat before it drains into the Gold River. This therefore indicates that the water flow in the canyon has probably reached its baseline elevation.
Another interesting feature found here is a landform that looks similar to a “hoodoo”. You can see the feature by looking upstream about ten metres from the lower bridge. According to the literature, true hoodoos are found in desert climates and consist of soft rock topped by harder and less easily erodible rock. Although the feature here may not meet that “true” definition, it does exhibit similar characteristics and is surrounded by water in the middle of the river.
To log this cache you must answer a few questions that can be found by visiting the site. Please email me your answers. Do not post your answers with your log otherwise it will be deleted.
1) From the lower bridge, look upstream about 10 meters and you will see the hoodoo-like feature. Please tell me how big it is (length, width, and height).
2) How do you think this hoodoo-like feature was formed?
3) From the upper bridge, look upstream about 100 metres and tell me how deep the canyon walls are.
4) Do you think the canyon is still being carved deeper – why or why not?