Welcome to the Mon River Trail
“Wild and Wonderful” is West Virginia’s slogan, but the same could be said of the Mon River Trail system in the north-central part of the state. The beauty of the trail network spiraling out of Morgantown is that you have access to four trails—and four unique experiences—all in one interconnected system spanning nearly 50 miles. Head away from town and you are quickly encompassed by lush woodlands and the quiet splash of small waterfalls. Or, stay in town and have a number of city parks, as well as great dining and shopping opportunities, at your fingertips.
The Mon River Rails-to-Trails runs along, as you might be able to guess, the Mon River. As a result, it is home to a plethora of ecological and geological phenomena. From waterfalls to wetlands and every rock formation in between, there is so much to discover on this trail! Use the waypoint below to find a suitable parking place and hit the trail to check out a unique form of wetland, vernal ponds!
What is a vernal pond?
Vernal ponds are a type of seasonal or temporary wetland. They were once common, naturally occurring features on the landscape. The scouring process resulting from the ebb and flow of flooding rivers, lakes, and oceans created many vernal ponds. Others developed through wind action, earthquakes, falling trees, fire, and chemical actions in the soil. In most cases, they are shallow, temporary, and separated from streams and rivers. This often made them tempting candidates for draining or filling. By nature of their ability to hold water, many were deepened and are now managed as permanent ponds and lakes.
Vernal ponds are known by many names and vary in definition. In some locations, their name denotes the relationship to the vernal or spring equinox. In areas where the seasons are less pronounced, many refer to them as ephemeral, seasonal, or temporary wetlands. Regardless of the name, the defining characteristics are that they periodically dry up and do not contain fish. Drying may occur annually or only in drought years. In general, they dry most often in late summer or early fall; however, heavy rains may fill them any time of year.
In recent years society has begun to appreciate the ecology of vernal ponds and seasonal wetlands. It is the temporary aspect of these wetlands that makes them so important. The wet-dry cycle prevents fish from becoming established, allowing critical breeding and rearing habitat for amphibians, crustaceans, and insects. Vernal ponds and other seasonal wetlands provide a window of necessity for these species to function and fulfill their role in the ecosystem.
Vernal ponds help protect watersheds. They capture and hold water, allowing time for it to seep into the surface and recharge groundwater supplies. This reduces the amount of water runoff, lessening erosion and downstream flooding. Vernal ponds also capture sediment, thereby protecting water quality in streams and rivers.
Vernal pools are seasonal depressional wetlands that occur under the Mediterranean climate conditions of the West Coast and in glaciated areas of northeastern and midwestern states. They are covered by shallow water for variable periods from winter to spring but may be completely dry for most of the summer and fall. These wetlands range in size from small puddles to shallow lakes and are usually found in a gently sloping plain of grassland. Western vernal pools are sometimes connected to each other by small drainages known as vernal swales, forming complexes. Beneath vernal pools lies either bedrock or a hard clay layer in the soil that helps keep water in the pool.
Logging Requirements
To obtain credit for this earthcache, you will need to visit the geological formation along the Mon River Trail and answer questions about the area. The answers can be found by using the information on the cache page and your observations at the posted coordinates. Please send me a message with the four answers before logging this earth cache.
1. Estimate the width (running parallel with the trail) of the vernal pond.
2. Identify how this pond most likely formed and what role the river had in the process.
3. Examine the soil at GZ; how does the soil help sustain water year-round?
4. Compare the soil to the left and right of the trail. What is different? Include information about the water content in your answers.