This is an Earthcache. That means there is NO PHYSICAL CONTAINER! To be able to log this cache as a find, you must visit the site and complete the tasks/answer the questions below
Logging Requirements
1. How are panholes formed?
2. Find a panhole and measure it. What are the dimensions: length, width and depth of your chosen panhole?
3. Are the panholes that you see more round or irregular in shape? Why do you think that they are this shape?
4. Take a picture of you or a personal item that includes the panhole and post it in your log.
Welcome to Valley Falls Split Stream Formation!
As this is an Earthcache, there is no physical container.
Valley Falls State Park, located near Fairmont and Grafton in northern West Virginia, is a 1,145-acre day-use park renowned for its natural beauty and rich history. The park’s centerpiece is a series of four picturesque waterfalls along the Tygart Valley River, where the dark, rushing waters cascade over sandstone ledges, creating a stunning and dynamic landscape.
In the 19th century, the area around Valley Falls was a thriving industrial community, featuring a lumber mill, gristmill, ferry, post office, shops, and a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad depot. However, a devastating fire in 1886 followed by floods in 1888 led to the decline of the community. Today, remnants of this past, including mill ruins, can still be seen along the riverbanks.
Visitors to Valley Falls State Park can enjoy a variety of recreational activities. The park offers 18 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that wind through scenic woodlands and along the river. Anglers can fish for smallmouth bass, trout, and panfish in the Tygart Valley River. While swimming is prohibited due to strong currents, kayaking is permitted for experienced paddlers seeking adventure.
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset and provides amenities such as picnic areas, a playground, and a gift shop. Its combination of natural splendor and historical significance makes Valley Falls State Park a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
This location features a fascinating geological formation known as a panhole, also commonly called a weathering pit.
Panholes are shallow depressions that form on exposed rock surfaces, particularly in granite. While some people mistakenly believe these features are caused by lightning strikes, they are actually the result of chemical weathering. Rainwater, often slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide and organic acids released by nearby plants, gradually breaks down the minerals in the granite. Over time, this process etches shallow basins into the rock.
As these depressions deepen, they begin to accumulate soil, moisture, and organic material, creating a miniature ecosystem. Small plants such as mosses and lichens often colonize these pits first. As these early colonizers die and decompose, they enrich the soil, allowing larger and more complex plants to take root. This cycle of growth and decay slowly transforms the panhole into a small, self-contained habitat—an excellent example of how geology and biology interact over long periods of time.
Logging Requirements
1. How are panholes formed?
2. Find a panhole and measure it. What are the dimensions: length, width and depth of your chosen panhole?
3. Are the panholes that you see more round or irregular in shape? Why do you think that they are this shape?
4. Take a picture of you or a personal item that includes the panhole and post it in your log.