Doe River Trail, located near Hampton TN, features a stunning view of the river and is good for all skill levels. This out and back trail is 4.9 miles with a elevation change of 682 feet. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on their leashes. Access to the trail is approved by the Doe River Ministry. After parking, stop in the office and say hello. The office is open Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00. Here is their number if you want to call in advance: (423) 725-4010.
The summer months (Mid May thru early August) is completely off limits due to the summer camps, please plan accordingly!
The Doe River is a tributary of the Watauga River in northeast Tennessee in the United States. The river forms in Carter County near the North Carolina line, just south of Roan Mountain State Park, and flows to Elizabethton.
History, geology and scenic beauty combine in an easy stroll through a stunning river gorge. The region’s history fairly seems to emanate from the narrow gauge rails that guide hikers’ feet along a route once plied by the engines and cars of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina railroad, better known as the Tweetsie.
According to the United States Geological Survey, a fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow the blocks to move relative to each other. This movement may occur rapidly, in the form of an earthquake - or may occur slowly, in the form of creep. Faults may range in length from a few millimeters to thousands of kilometers.
A thrust fault is a type of fault, or break in the Earth's crust across which there has been relative movement, in which rocks of lower stratigraphic position are pushed up and over higher strata. They are often recognized because they place older rocks above younger. Thrust faults are the result of compressional forces.
A reverse fault is one in which one side of the fault, the hanging wall, moves up and over the other side, the foot wall. This movement is caused by compression and is common at tectonic plate boundaries. A thrust fault is a reverse fault that is at an incline of less than 45 degrees.
A overthrust fault - a geological fault in which the upper side appears to have been pushed upward by compression.
Permission for this Earth Cache was given by Doe River Ministry.
From the information provided and your observations of the gorge wall across the river from the posted cordinates- Please answers to the following questions:
1. Using your own words, explain how you can visually tell that this is a fault, instead of a simple crack?
2. What type of fault do you see here?
3. Estimate the distance the rock layers have been displaced.
Answers can be sent via the message center or email.
You are welcome to post photos of your visit to the site, but this is optional and not part of the logging requirements.
FTF HONORS GO TO NeverSeenGene
