The Boyd Crevices
The trail leads through a labyrinth of crevices and mini-canyons along the iconic Bruce Trail, with towering, claustrophobia-inducting sheer walls and a plethora of interesting caves and fissures. This labyrinth of crevices cut deep into the Escarpment rock is a delight to explore. They are the result of “cambering”, when small cracks in the rock deepen over time, and gradually large blocks pull away from the cliff face. They form roughly cubic shapes, due to the crystal makeup of the rock.
Part of the Niagara Escarpment, it was formed over millions of years through the differential erosion by weather and streams of rocks of different hardnesses. The Niagara Escarpment has a caprock of dolostone which is more resistant and overlies weaker, more easily eroded shale rocks.
Through time the soft rocks weather and erode away by the action of streams. The gradual removal of the soft rocks undercuts the resistant caprock, leaving it standing as a cliff – the escarpment.
What is the cambering process?
Cambering involves large-scale stretching, tilting or rotation of more competent blocks over less competent strata such as clays, mudstones or shales. Cambered strata occur on valley crests and commonly the cambered blocks are tilted to the valley axis.
Geocachers, like all other trail users, must travel on blazed trails and NOT STRAY OFF THE TRAIL. Note: Straying off the trail can lead to hazardous situations, e.g. cliffs, crevices and/or disturbing species at risk.
To Log this EarthCache, please send me the answers to the following questions. Please do not post them in your log:
- Please measure an example of "cambering" at the posted coordinates.
- Please post a photo of an example of "cambering" at the posted coordinates.
- What is the height of the rock wall at the posted coordinates?
- What is the length of the longest labyrinth?
- OPTIONAL: Post a photo of you, your group or your GPS at GZ or the surrounding area.