Begin at the informational kiosk and then TOUR THE PRESERVE to formulate answers to these 3 questions:
1) This site sits on an isolated rock formation. Many of the picturesque bluffs in the area are formed from this rock. Name the type of stronger rock that lies BELOW the limestone (see kiosk at top of trail. Not the kiosk at the posted coords)
2) What one word describes the action that occurred here between 12,000-45,000 years ago? (see kiosk at posted coords)
3) An important erosional event occurred here when the Little Maquoketa River was diverted toward the Mississippi River. What is this event called? (see kiosk at posted coords)
In order to receive credit for completing this cache, please email the three answers to me ON THE SAME DAY THAT YOU LOG THE FIND. You are not required to post a picture of yourself somewhere at the cache site, but I'd like to develop a nice, all-season gallery of this unique area. It's your choice.
If it is bug season, bring plenty of spray. Once you stop moving, they move in! The trail to the top of the 200-foot bluff is rather steep, so hiking boots, a hiking stick, and reasonably good physical condition are in order.
At the top of the bluff, there is a small remnant of native prairie along with 32 ancient burial mounds. The advice of over 15 Native American tribes was gathered in developing informational postings in the parking lot and at the bluff top. This area is open to the public from sunrise to sunset year round. The land manager is the Dubuque County Conservation Board and permission has been obtained for this cache. A more technical explanation of the geological event you will learn about at this site is provided at wikipedia.com which explains this particular erosional event like this: "a geomorphic phenomenon that occurs when a stream or river from a neighboring drainage system or watershed erodes through the divide between two streams and "captures" another stream which then is diverted from its former bed and now flows down the bed of the capturing stream. This can occur through headward erosion of one stream valley into another or through lateral erosion of meanders through the sediments between parallel streams." You will read and can view first-hand this phenomenon at Little Maquoketa River Mounds Preserve. Please treat all areas with respect, leave nothing but footprints, take only pictures and memories, and, of course, have fun!
******************************* CONGRATS to Latts on the FTF! ******************************