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Mesozoic* Let's get High ☮ EarthCache

Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:

The study of geology has put many pieces of a complex picture of Earth’s history together. The evidence of plate tectonics was largely accepted as explaining mountain building, sea-floor spreading and volcanism. In Pennsylvania, the geological history of our state includes several mountain-building episodes, of which, our Appalachian mountains are the last remnants of those ancient times.

To log this cache email me the answers do not post in log!

1.Describe how you believe this area formed ?

2.What color are the rocks here ?

3.What type of rock form this overlook ?

4. How high above Laurel Lake is the summit ?

5. What is your Altimeter reading ?

6. Describe the Texture of the rocks.

7. A new change to the guidelines allows me to require a photo. Take a picture of you or a personal item at the site.**** POST A PICTURE AT POLE STEEPLE

This magnificent pillar of rock rises over South Mountain and provides an exceptional view of Mountain Creek Valley and the surrounding highlands. Less resistant rocks in the valley to the north around Laurel Forge Pond are metarhyolite and dolomite. These two rock types were faulted upward against the quartzite, and, because they erode more rapidly than the quartzite, they now occupy a lower topographic position. Pole Steeple is probably the second most dramatic summit in Pennsylvania behind The Pinnacle . Similar in form, Pole Steeple's summit area is composed of an eighty foot high cliff. In the center you'll see the outcropping that gives this mountain its name. Pole Steeple is located within Pine Grove Furnace State Park. This tiny summit offers one of the most awesome views for the short, steep hike required to reach its summit. Pole Steeple provides an excellent view, Looking southwest you can see Sunset Rocks on Little Rocky Ridge. In the valley, nearly five hundred feet below, Laurel Lake with its sandy beaches and dam. Also, to the west you can see the central ridge of South Mountain as it reaches heights of just over two-thousand feet.  Pole Steeple has a similar geologic composition to that of The Pinnacle. In fact the only real difference between the two is that The Pinnacle's cliff face is nearly twice as high as that of Pole Steeple. Follow The Pole Steeple Trail ,it is the main trail to the top.

 

I have earned GSA's highest level: EarthCache Discovery Award

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