Millions of years ago, a retreating sea left these coastal bluffs behind. Waters draining to the ocean sculpted the rocky formations into sheer canyon walls. Some of the exquisite ferns now clinging to the steep, shadowy cliffs are ancient species whose ancestry can be traced back 325 million years. The canyon is now shrouded with lush five-fingered ferns, dark green sword ferns, and delicate lady ferns. Scouring winter floods periodically rush through the canyon, sweeping debris from its floor. Erosion is the main factors when it comes to the creation of canyons. Like the formation of the Grand Canyon(but on a much smaller scale here), waters have carved out this gorge to depths of up to a hundred feet, resulting in “walls” that are actually seafloor. The predominant rock types in in this area range from massive sandstone, inter-bedded sandstone, and mudstone.
Most of the Prairie Creek basin at the northern end of the Redwood Creek basin is underlain by weakly consolidated shallow marine and alluvial sediments. The sediments possess a distinctive topography of sharp ridges, steep canyons, and a trellis drainage pattern. The sediments are here named the Prairie Creek Formation. Although named for Prairie Creek, the best exposures occur at its type locality along the well-exposed coastal bluffs at Gold Bluffs beach and Fern Canyon. The sandstone and mudstone of the Praire Creek area have distinctive geomorphic expression. Sharp ridge crests, steep slopes, and narrow V-shaped tributary canyons are characteristic of the landscape developed on these relatively resistant rocks. Slopes have straight to gently concave profiles. Streamside debris slides and debris avalanches are common in the inner gorges of tributaries. The sandstone, mudstone, greenstone, and other materials underlie a subdued, rolling landscape having less deeply incised drainage networks and a few high points and knobs formed by resistant rock types.
Directions to the site:
* From Hwy 101, drive approx. 2 mile north of Orick to Davison Road and turn left.
* Follow through Elk Meadow and onto dirt road (motorhomes and trailers are not allowed on this road). Follow this spectacular scenic drive for 6 miles until you reach the Gold Bluffs Beach kiosk. Pay the $8.00 day use fee (cash or check only). California State Park and National Park Service passes are accepted.
* Follow the road along the beach for another 3 miles (fording through several small streams -- do-able by car) until the parking lot at the end.
* The trailhead to Fern Canyon is there, about 1/4 mile from the actual start of the canyon.
During summer months, foot bridges are installed over the creek to make this trail easier (and dryer), but it is generally passable year-round if one is nimble and can tolerate getting damp.
One can hike into the canyon and back, or continue on to a trail/stairway that climbs out of the canyon. At the top, turn left to return along the canyon rim, with fine views into the canyon and other interesting sights. A verdant prairie is the site of a former mining camp from the days when Gold Bluffs Beach was, in fact, mined for gold dust (a venture that was never very profitable).
Alternatively, Fern Canyon can be reached by a moderate five-mile hike on the James Irvine Trail, beginning at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park visitor center.
To log this cache, go to the above coordinates for required information. Then e-mail me your answers. (Do NOT post the answers or the option in your log.) Also, posting a picture of you or your group would be appreciated but not required.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL LOGS WHO DO NOT SEND THE REQUIRED ANSWERS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT WARNING.
1. In your opinion, what is the height range of the walls of the canyon?
2. What geological items make up the majority of the canyon floor?
3. When you can spot walls of the canyon not covered with ferns or mosses, what kind of soil or materials are the walls made of?
4. How steep are the walls in this canyon? Gently sloping or closer to the point of almost vertical?
5. Optional: Post a picture of yourself and/or your group keeping the main topic of this Earthcache out of view.
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