Rules and park information
Here is a trail map
Park Hours
7:00am to 7:00pm Summer
7:00am to 5:00pm Winter
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Rules and Regulations
1. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
2. Do not litter.
3. Weapons are prohibited.
4. Please stay on trails at all times. These trails have been designed to discourage erosion and harm to natural communities.
5. Please stay within park boundaries. Respect land owner's rights and private property signs.
6. No fires.
7. Day use only.
8. Destroying, cutting or removing gegetation, including wildflowers, is prohibited.
9. Foot traffic only. No motorized vehicles allowed.
10. Please keep dogs on a leash and clean up after them.
Hiker's Guide
This trail involves a strenuous hike which includes 338 stone steps to the bottom and a difficult return climb. Be aware that surfaces may become slippery during inclement weather or depending of the season. Please follow the instructions below:
Stairway Rules
1. Use handrail at all times.
2. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
3. Stay on the established trail at all times.
4. Running is not allowed.
5. Throwing or dropping of objects is prohibited. (You could cause serious injury or even kill people that might be below you on the trail)
6. Footwear suitable for wet walking surfaces is recommended (sandals, slick soled shoes and high heels are not recommended).
7. No animals allowed on steps, except service dogs.
8. Hiking the steps is not recommended if you have heart or breathing difficulties, have had recent surgery or illness, you are pregnant, you have a fear of heights, or any condition that may prevent you from strenuous exercise.
Branson Park and rec department nor the maker of this earthcache is responsible for your safety
The Geology
Erosion
Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are removed from the Earth's surface by natural processes such as wind or water flow, and then transported and deposited in other locations.
In this particular area at GZ, Water has caused most of the Erosion here. Springs are both caused by erosion and causes of erosion.
Types of Erosion:
Splash Erosion: Small soil particles are detached and sent airborne through the impact of raindrops on soil.
Sheet Erosion: Raindrops break apart the soil structure and it's moved down-slope by water that flows overland as a sheet rather than definitive channels. This occurs frequently during cloud bursts.
Rill Erosion: This process develops small, short-lived, concentrated flow paths. These paths create a sediment source and delivery system for hill-slope erosion. Areas where precipitation rates exceed soil infiltration rates are more prone to this type of erosion.
Gully Erosion: Water flows in narrow channels during or directly following heavy rains or melting snow. The gullies can erode to considerable depths.
Valley or Stream Erosion: Continual water flow alongside land (along a linear feature) creates this type of erosion. It extends downward, deepening a valley, and head-ward, extending the valley into the hillside. This occurs most frequently in times of flooding.
Bank Erosion: Over time, banks of rivers and streams are naturally worn down.
Freezing and thawing: Cold weather causes water trapped in tiny rock cracks to freeze and expand, breaking the rock into several pieces.
**Logging requirements**
DO NOT POST ANSWERS IN YOUR LOG.
Send the following answers to me via email.
The waterfall is ahead of you. Looking at the walls as you progress to it and past it make your observations.
- The text "GC557HH Branson Geology Tour stop 2" on the first line
- How much farther does this trail go in feet?
- Before you even get to the waterfall area you will notice the walls. You will see sediment that is stacked Limestone then sandstone then limestone. What is happening to the sandstone at a faster rate than the limestone & how far back does it go into the wall?
- Elevation at the top of the falls is 806 feet; what is the elevation at the bottom of the waterfall area?
- How tall is the falls area that is created by erosion?
- How much erosional force is coming off the falls today?
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