Lake Vesuvius Rockhouse EarthCache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(other)
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The earthcache in on Rockhouse trail in the Lake Vesuvius recreation area. The trail is easy to moderate with a 4% uphill/downhill grade. Parking is available near the boat dock.
Rock houses or rock-shelter caves are common in eastern and southern Ohio where thick beds of sandstone of Mississippian or Pennsylvanian age form steep cliffs. The mineral cement that holds the sand grains together is weaker in some parts of the sandstone bed and is therefore more susceptible to erosion. Weaker layers erode away, commonly leaving an upper cap of better cemented sandstone to form a roof above a recess or re-entrant. The caves in Hocking Hills State Park are perhaps the most famous examples in the state. The sandstone beds at Lake Vesuvius are of Pennsylvanian age.
Caution: Do not disturb or deface the rock shelters or any other historical or archeological sites.
Stay on the trail at all times leaving no trace and only taking photos.
The Rock house trail accesses rock overhangs and follows a cliff face featuring the power of erosion and the geologic wonder of the great rock houses. The trail includes benches and interpretive signage along the way. It gives you a tour of the hanging rock iron region and how iron was produced in the 19th century.
Rock house overhangs are formed when a hard layer of stone rests on a softer layer of stone. Overtime, the soft lower level erodes away under cutting the hard upper layer.
Logging requirements for this cache are:
1. Post a photo of you and your gps on the boardwalk at the rock house.
2. Estimate the width and height of the rock house opening.
3. What is the predominant stone that the rock house is made from?
4. What did the employees of the nearby Vesuvius furnace come here to get?
Email the answers to me and do not post them in the log.
Thanks to the Vesuvius recreation area rangers for permission to list this earthcache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ernq gur fvtaf