Cloudland Canyon State Park is located in a very interesting geographical area of Northwest Georgia. This area of Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama is part of a region of the Appalachian mountains known as the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. These mountains are characterized by long, even ridges, with long, continuous valleys in between, as I'm sure you can see from the trailhead. These ridges and valleys are the remnants of a fold-and-thrust fault belt. Because of these thrust faults, different levels of strata have arranged themselves to form the geography you see today. The ridges are made up of more erosion-resistant strata, while the valleys are made up of the more erodible strata. Smaller streams have developed their valleys following the lines of the more easily eroded strata. In this area, Daniel Creek and Bear Creek are examples of smaller streams forming the valleys. This state park is part of the Lookout Mountain ridgeline.
The phenomenon of fold-and-thrust faults combined with natural streams and creeks has created a beautiful ridge and valley setting. Deeper within the valley, other less erodible strata in the creek bed have created some beautiful waterfalls. One of these waterfalls is where you are now, Cherokee Falls. To claim this earthcache please answer the following questions.
What ridgeline is this state park identified with?
What type of faults formed this area?
Evidence of these faults are all around at Cherokee Falls. How many "layers" can you see in the area around the falls?
How tall do you estimate these falls to be? (Do not attempt an actual measurement)
OPTIONAL: Take a picture of you or your group with the falls in the background.
We hope you enjoyed this earthcache and be careful hiking back out!