This earthcache will bring you to a hidden gem in an undeveloped portion of Kinnickinnic State Park. This spot is known by a few names: The Devil’s Punchbowl; The Devil’s Mixing Bowl; The Devil’s Den. Each of these names has a common word – hmmmmm, I wonder why……
Area Description
This area is part of the Kinnickinnic River Gorge and Delta State Natural Area and contains an undisturbed river gorge with a diversity of plant communities and features one of the finest examples of river delta in Wisconsin. The deep river valley, cut into glacial drift, sandstone, and limestone, contains dry-mesic forest on the sheltered north-facing slope and xeric oak-cedar woods and small prairie openings on the exposed south-facing slope. The steep south bank contains large beds of Canada yew and walking fern under a forest of sugar maple, ironwood, and white pine. The steep, thin-soiled slope contains hepatica, common polypody fern, walking fern and other mesic woodland plants. Dripping to dry cliffs are found intermittently throughout the valley. On the south side of the river is the Devil's Mixing Bowl (or Punchbowl – or Den) - a series of cascades originating in a deep box canyon and emptying into a small pool. A spectacular example of dripping cliffs is found within this canyon. At the head of the canyon the sheer walls support a ribbon of bulblet ferns growing along a high shelf. From this shelf, water falls 10 feet to the canyon floor and down the cascades. The lower waterfall is dry except in wet seasons. Numerous mosses and lichens blanket the canyon floor. Of special geomorphologic interest is the large semi-open delta deposited by the Kinnickinnic River as it flows into the St. Croix River. The delta and river lowlands are used by waterfowl and nesting turtles.
The Bowl
The Punchbowl is a nice example of a box canyon. It is likely this canyon was formed by glacial meltwaters many thousands of years ago. The amount of water that passed through this area to create this small canyon must have been astounding.
The exposed rock in this area can vary, but there is a significant amount of sandstone and limestone. Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Most limestone is composed of skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera. Sandstone (sometimes known as arenite) is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains. Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any color, but the most common colors are tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white and black. Since sandstone beds often form highly visible cliffs and other topographic features, certain colors of sandstone have been strongly identified with certain regions.
Best parking is at the posted coordinates. From there, walk down the road to the small trail that heads into the woods (see coordinates below) and follow the rustic trail to the first waypoint. There are three quick stops in this area and each will take only a moment to gather the needed data (don’t overthink any of them). The main goal here is to have you enjoy this interesting geological feature that’s off the beaten path just a bit.
To get credit for this Earthcache, please send me the information gathered at the three reference waypoints:
Stage 2 (Stop #1, which is the posted coordinates): You are at the top part of the Punchbowl. Estimate how far down it is to the bottom of the bowl from here. What type of rock is predominant in this area? Can you hear water dripping?
Stage 3 (Stop #2): This gives you another vantage point of the Mixing Bowl. Record the elevation reading here and send that information. (This route will also be the best way to get to Stop #3, which is Stage 4.)
Stage 4 (Stop #3): You are now at the end of the Punchbowl, where a small pool of water forms below a small waterfall. Take an elevation reading here and determine the difference in elevation between this spot and Waypoint 2. How far would the water fall here if there were enough to run over?
You can send your answers to the email in my profile. Pictures of your experience in this area are always appreciated. This is a bit of a walk round-trip, but if you're here for the other traditional caches in the area this will be pretty much on the way.
NOTE: You do NOT need to go down inside the Punchbowl at any time (and in fact, at most times of the year there is no safe passage to get there). You do not need to get close to the edge at any time – please be safe and keep pets and small children close. A special thanks to knowschad for showing me this wonderful area!
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Aaron Mason, manager of Kinnickinnic State Park, and Thomas Meyer, WI State Natural Area Biologist. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 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 the Wisconsin DNR website.
Area description information courtesy of the WI Dept. of Natural Resources website. Other data gathered via a number of public resources.