This earth cache is located in Robinson Park in Sandstone, Minnesota. It is at the site of a former rock quarry along the banks of the beautiful Kettle River. Remnants of the quarry buildings can be explored here and the old bridge ruins that once served as a horse and wagon crossing are still visible. The Kettle River has become a popular waterway for kayakers, canoeists and rafters.
The Kettle River is an 83.6 mile long tributary of the St. Croix River and part of the watershed of the Mississippi River. The Kettle River got its name from the numerous large rounded holes or kettles in and around the river. The kettles have been carved out of sandstone by the power of the river’s swirling waters. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized mineral particles. It is relatively soft, making it easy to carve.
To receive credit for this earth cache, email to me the answers to the following questions:
- From this vantage point, you can see evidence of a large kettle formation across the river. Estimate that kettle’s diameter (distance across).
- Why is sandstone easily carved by the power of the river?
- Think of the height of the river’s east bank in front of you as the original shore of the river. How deep do you think this river valley has been cut over time?
- Do you think the Kettle River is still cutting a valley and carving kettles today? Why or why not?
- Optional- Take a photo of yourself by the Kettle River.