A 900 meter hike on the Wanuskewin Heritage Parks’ Trails will take you to a large granite boulder at the above listed co-ordinates. This rock is a glacial erratic also known as a “Buffalo Rubbing Stone”. It was deposited in this location by the last continental glaciers approximately 10,000 - 15,000 years ago. Glaciers carried many such boulders hundreds of miles from their original locations and when they melted left them scattered throughout the prairies. Erratic’s can vary greatly in size from small stones to ones larger than a house. The world’s largest known erratic is “Big Rock” located near Okotoks, Alberta (refer to GCP7ZG). As you hike the "trail of the Buffalo" (marked by yellow arrow points) and begin the climb out of the creek valley, note the many smaller glacial erratic lodged in the hillside.
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Lichens encrust the surface of the erratic rock except on those portions that were polished smooth by rubbing. In summer plagued by hordes of mosquitoes and biting flies the bison sought these boulders or tree trunks on which to rub and rid their hides of the parasites. They also rolled in the dry dust to achieve the same results. In spring they removed their heavy winter wool in the same manner. Over centuries of use the stones became polished and ringed by a crater like depression. After the bison disappeared domestic cattle continued to use many rubbing stones for the same purpose.
This large granite boulder is a natural monument to the great herds of bison that once ranged over the entire Prairie and these bluffs near the South Saskatchewan River.
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Logging requirements: (email me with the answers to the following – do not post in your log)
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Estimate the size of the “Buffalo rubbing stone” (erratic / LWH) ?
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What does Wanuskewin mean?
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When did Wanuskewin officially open?
Also (Optional):
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Wanuskewin staff would like you to sign their Guest book at the visitor center.
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Note : a photo log of your visit is optional, but you may share one with your fellow cachers by posting it with your log entry.
Additional Notes:
- The Wanuskewin Heritage Park is open in the winter months however the trails are only occasionally maintained. Winter logging is possible at times but the site is best logged in summer months when one may enjoy all the historic sites and park activities.
- Obey all posted park rules and signage.
- Walk only on designated trails.
- Please do not climb on the Buffalo Rubbing Rock.
- An approx. 1.8 Km round trip hike.
- Practice CITO (Cache in and trash out).
Thank you for completing this Earth Cache. We hope you enjoyed your visit to the park. The staff of the Wanuskewin park invite you to visit often. A special thank you to Jason Moccasin, Senior Interpreter and the park staff for their assistance in the establishment of this earth cache. The park staff invite you to enjoy all the other historic sites and park facilities listed on their WEB site. There are many special events held at the park throughout the summer. Please check the WEB site for current park hours, special events and admission fees.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park Hours are: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm seven days a week (Phone - 306-931-6767 or in North America call toll-free 1-877-547-6546).
Park fees are: Adults: $8.50
Seniors: $7.50
Students (13 - 18 yrs): $6.50
Children (6 - 12): $4.00
Children (5 & under): FREE
Family: $25.00