Bedrock is the hard rock at or near the surface of a region. It is consolidated rock which is solid and tightly bound. Bedrock can extend hundreds of meters below Earth's surface. It helps geologists identify rock formations which are sections of rock that share a common origin and range.
The bedrock geologic record in Wisconsin is divided into the Precambrian time period (older that 600 million years) and the Paleozoic time period (younger than 600 million years). The bedrock in the Brooklyn State Wildlife Area is from the Paleozoic time and is relatively flat-lying rock that may include fossil-bearing sedimentary rocks. This era began during a period of time when Wisconsin was submerged at least twice beneath the sea. Waves eroded sediments along the shoreline and rivers drained the land and deposited additional sediment in the sea to form sandstone and shale. Wisconsin was submerged at least three more times during which plants and animals living in the sea deposited layers and reefs of calcium carbonate which are now dolomite. Evidence indicates that the area was gently uplifted toward the end of the Paleozoic era and has remained so to present time. Millions of years of rain, wind, running water, and glacial action have carved the uplifted land surface.
The bedrock was there long before the glacier moved into the area. The landscape offers geologists a clue about how far glaciers extended during the Ice Age. The ridge that the Ice Age Trail follows appears to be the western most extent of glaciation. There are scattered erratics on the ridge. Most of the glacial deposits have eroded away, but it may be fairly thick till in places. Even though much has eroded away, you will still be walking on dirt paths with little of the bedrock showing through.
The Johnstown Moraine can be seen on the horizon to the east.
IATCC is the cache designation to highlight a series of EarthCaches along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail grouped into a special category called "ColdCache."
The Ice Age Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails designated by the National Park Service. This unique trail is entirely within the state of Wisconsin and follows along the terminal moraine of the most recent glacier which retreated about 10,000 years ago.
This project is supported by the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA). The goal is to bring more visitors to the trail and promote public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of Wisconsin’s glacial landscape.
The IATA has created an awards program to encourage visits to the trail and ColdCache sites. This awards program is separate from, and in addition to, any other Geo- or EarthCache awards program.
A current list of approved ColdCache sites can be found on the “IATCC Bookmark List”. More information on the Ice Age Trail Atlas, the Companion Guide, the ColdCache Project and Awards Program can be found on the “ColdCache Webpage”
DNR Permission
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Michael Foy of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: www.wi-geocaching.com/hiding
Resources
Geology of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail; by David M. Mickelson, Louis J. Mahler Jr., and Susan L. Simpson
Roadside Geology of Wisconsin; by Robert H. Dott, Jr and John W. Attig
National Geographic - Education
Wikipedia
To claim this find:
Look to the east from the overlook. The high ground you see about 5 miles away is the Johnstown Moraine.
1. Is the Johnstown Moraine or the bedrock ridge you are on higher?
2. If the bedrock ridge was the western most extend of glaciation, why is the Johnstown Moraine located to the east?