This Earthcache takes you to Mystery Falls, approximately 1km from the parking area (which has been waypointed). There is no cost to access the area. Dogs are permitted but must remain on leash at all times. Biking, camping and campfires are not permitted in this area. The terrain ranges from flat boardwalks to deep ravines, steep stairs, and can be muddy at times. Please note the terrain level and plan your trip accordingly.
At the posted coordinates, you will find a sample of fossilized Trilobite Trails. This small display has some of the best trilobite trail specifimens I have ever seen. These trilobite fossils are common in this area due to the shale that forms a majority of the falls.
Trilobites (meaning "three lobes") are extinct marine arthropods that form the class Trilobita. Trilobites form one of the earliest known groups of arthropods. The first appearance of trilobites in the fossil record defines the base of the Atdabanian stage of the Early Cambrian period (521 million years ago) and they flourished throughout the lower Paleozoic era before slipping into a long decline.The last trilobites finally disappeared in the mass extinction at the end of the Permian about 251.9 million years ago. Trilobites were among the most successful of all early animals, existing in oceans for almost 270 million years, with over 22,000 species having been described. Because of their hard shell, and negative boyancy (they sink when they die), they were easily fossilized.
Shale and Fossilization go hand-in-hand. Shale is sediment that is created when layers of sediment are compressed into rock, a fossil occurs when a dead animal gets in the way of this process, and becomes flattened inside the shale layer. Over time the animal biodegrades until all that is left is mineral deposits in the shape of its original form.
Trilobites appear to have been primarily marine organisms, since the fossilized remains of trilobites are always found in rocks containing fossils of other salt-water animals such as brachiopods, crinoids, and corals. Some trackways suggest trilobites made at least temporary excursions unto land, but it is not clear whether they were able to survive on land for significant periods of time. Within the marine environment, trilobites were found in a broad range from extremely shallow water to very deep water. Trilobites, like brachiopods, crinoids, and corals, are found on all modern continents, and occupied every ancient ocean from which Paleozoic fossils have been collected. The remnants of trilobites can range from the preserved body to pieces of the exoskeleton, which it shed in the process known as ecdysis. In addition, the tracks left behind by trilobites living on the sea floor are often preserved as trace fossils, like the ones you see in the display box.
The Fossils that occur in Mystery Falls come from a period known as the mis-Devonian period, about 360-420 million years ago. Around this time this area was a shallow sea, that was teeming with life, most commonly Brachiopods, Gastropods, nautiliods, and trilobites. The shale is black because of organic remnants in the rock, in exposed sections it is grey as it becomes bleached by the sun.
After viewing the sample and reading the small trilobite description tag at the posted coordinates, make your way to the stage 2 waypoints and start searching for fossils of your own! There are 2 distinct areas anear mystery falls that are good for fossil collecting:
Oil Shale: The shale here is black, the fossils are plentiful. Some of the Fossil Trilobites in this region are highly covetted by fossil collectors as their bodies have been replaced by Iron Sulphide (Fool's gold, or Pyrite), making them golden brown in colour against the black shale.
Limestone Shale: At the top of waterfall, the shale here is mixed in with limestone layers. The rocks here are a few million years older then the oil shale and less dense with fossils however the fossil pieces seem to be intact and exposed due to water erosion.
Pseudogygites Canadensis and Asaphus canadensis are the species of trilobite you will most likely find, Another species is often found here called Triarthrus Eatoni.
Details About this Earthcache
In order to answer the questions, you will need to visit both stage 1 (posted coordinates, the trilobite sample) and stage 2 (top of the waterfall, where you WILL get your feet wet except during the driest seasons).
This earthcache will not be available when there is excessive snow on the ground or the river is frozen. Please be respectful and come back when you are able to fully experience the fossils.
Stage 2 is just one spot where I noted trilobite fossils near the falls. You may find other spots - as long as you fossils are within 50m of the falls, you do not need to be at the exact stage 2 coordinates to make your observations. You may search both above or below the falls, depending on your comfort level.
As with all of my ECs, I am not looking for PhD thesis level responses, but I am hoping that you take some time to enjoy the area and learn something new. Please include a list of all cachers with your answer, if answering for more than one caching name.
Logging Tasks:
1. Stage 1 - According to the sign, trilobite trails such as the ones in the sample case where made when trilobites would burrow into the bottom of the sea in search of food, such as __________.
2. Stage 1 - Approximately how many trilobite trails do you see in the sample within the wooden frame (hint: it's more than 10)?
3. Stage 2 - Have a look at the area and see if you can spot any evidence of trilobites near the waterfalls. Based on what you see, was the sample at stage 1 taken from this area? Were the trilobites larger, smaller or about the same size as the ones that would have made the trails at stage 1?
4. Stage 2 - do you see any other types of fossils besides trilobites? Describe what you see, or send a photo of what you find with your answers.
5. Stage 2 - MANDATORY - post a photo with your log of your visit to the area. This can be a photo with the waterfall, climbing own the stairs to the lower falls, on the bench above the falls, etc. You do not need to show your face but it should be clearly identifiable that it is you who took the photo.
For large groups: I am happy to accept the answers for groups from one person, but each person logging should have their own, separate, mandatory photo showing you did actually visit the site.
Other photos are welcome of yourself or your group in the area. Please feel free to log as found as soon as you send your answers and I will contact you if you have any questions. Logs without answers sent may be deleted if answers are not received within 5 days of logging.