SHOSHONE POINT
The Shoshone Point Trail starts at a gate and unsigned parking pullout just west of mile marker 246 on Desert View Drive (see parking waypoint). The quiet trail is a nearly level dirt road that gains only 100 feet over its mile length. Cross the plateau hiking through a wooded area covered with ponderosa pine. After a mile, emerge at the turn around loop where there are benches, grills, mule hitching posts and pit toilets. The covered pavilion can be rented for events, but you don't need a permit just to visit the overlook.
During the peak season of May 1 through October 15, the site may be reserved for weddings and other personal group events. When rented the public is not invited. If you see an event in progress, please DO NOT DISTURB the event and go back another day.
KAIBAB FORMATION
The Kaibab Limestone is a diverse assemblage of sedimentary rock types. It consists of a complexity of interfingering and interbedded carbonate and siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. In addition, intense post-depositional changes have created more composition variation by the alteration of limestone to dolomite and the silicification of limestone to form chert. The Harrisburg Member, which forms the uppermost cliffs and receding ledges along both north and south rims of the Grand Canyon, consists of an assemblage of gypsum, dolomite, sandstone, redbeds, chert, and minor limestone.
POSTED COORDINATES
While standing at the posted coordinates, you are standing in the Kaibab Formation layer of the Grand Canyon. All logging requirements can be answered from the posted coordinates. There is no need to walk close to the edge. Be careful of loose rock and narrow ledges, a fall would be deadly. There is no need to go out to the cool mushroom/headstone rock formation at the point. You can make your estimate from the posted coordinates.
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
In order to log this EarthCache, send me your answers to the following questions either through email from my profile page or through messages on my profile page.
1: Looking at the rock in the area, do you see any fossils? If so, send me a description of one you found.
2: Based on your findings for question 1, what do you think the environment was during the formation of the Kaibab layer?
3: Estimate the height of the mushroom/headstone rock formation at the point.
4: Pictures are not required but are appreciated. Please post a pic of you or your GPS from GZ with any part of Shoshone Point in the background.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE POLICY
In accordance with National Park Service Policy review on "GPS-Based Recreational Activities in National Park areas" updated October 1, 2009, this EarthCache does NOT require or encourage participants to leave the marked trail, move, touch, or in any other manner disturb the natural environment. Please use caution and stay at least 6 feet away from the edge of the canyon at all times. EarthCaches are a type of geocache that may provide participants with a learning experience in the geosciences, and do not involve a physical cache.
This EarthCache was developed in cooperation with and with written permission from the Grand Canyon National Park.