This Earthcache is
located in York River State Park,
located 11 miles west of Williamsburg. From I-64, take the
Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one
mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a
half miles to the park entrance. Take a left turn into the
park.
York River State Park offers visitors an opportunity
to experience the environment of a coastal estuary. This park
is known for its rare and delicate environment, where
freshwater and saltwater meet to create a habitat rich in
marine and plant life. The main focus of the park is to
preserve a portion of York River frontage and its related
marshes while providing an area for passive day-use
recreation for visitors. York River State Park served as a
role model for all of Virginia’s state parks in developing
resource management plans. The park’s natural resources make
it a significant place for environmental education at all
levels.
The posted coordinates lead you to the trailhead
entrance to Fossil Beach, which can be reached via the
Mattaponi trail. At Fossil Beach you may find many examples
of ancient fossils, from whale and dolphin bones and shark's
teeth to shells of gastropods and mollusks, and even Corals
and Bryozoas.
Millions of years ago this area was covered by a shallow
sea. As the sea receded, many rivers and streams were left to drain
the land, cutting in the layers of sediment that once made up the
sea bottom, exposing the many fossils of the ancient sea life that
once were in abundance here.
Anyone that wishes to keep fossils must obtain a permit
from the park staff. DO NOT DIG IN OR DISTURB THE CLIFFS. Only
collect from the shoreline.
TO LOG THIS EARTHCACHE:
1) Take a picture of yourself (or your GPS if you are
solo) in front of the new steps at the trailhead entrance to Fossil
Beach.
Photo
Credit : Great Scott
Any log without a picture posted within 30 days will be
deleted.
2) Fill in the blanks: An ancient shallow sea, which
existed _______ million years ago, extended from here to where
____________ now stands.
3) Name the three formations that now make up the edge of
the river bed and cliffs where the fossils can be
found.