As you walk up the glen on the Tipperary side (left bank) and follow the stony path along the river, you will come to an opening which shows off the red sandstone gorge to its best. This is also known as Old Red sandstone and was formed when Ireland was part of a large arid desert through which large rivers ran. You can see the layers in the rock and in places also the surface ripples caused by flowing water. These sandy sediments were laid down in the Devonian period, some 420-360 million years ago! When sand is compressed deep in the earth, it will crystallize and form white nodules of quartz. See if you can find these quartz stones and pebbles in the red-brown sandstone! The gorge walls are testament to the relative softness of sandstone and show how over time the action of flowing water can even cut through stone! This area is popular for swimmers as it is also a natural sun trap in summer. As such, some stealth should be used to avoid detection when searching for, signing and replacing this cache. The gorge wall makes GPS coverage a bit spotty here. The cache is a micro tube and may need an adult to reach it. Bring your own pen!
I have added seven new traditional caches to the Clare Glens trails. They consist of micro and small containers and serve to highlight the beauty and fascinating geology of this nature attraction. There are four on the Tipperary side and three on the Limerick side. On the Tipp side are Gorgeous Gorge, Green Tunnel, Hazel Green and Evergreen Scene. On the opposite bank are Metal Bridge, Poke in the Eye, and Large Donkey.
Warnings!
Beware of falling stones from the upper walls of the gorge! GPS coverage is poor in the deepest parts of the gorge. The glen's slopes are often steep or in places are sheer. Mind the little ones and make sure they stick to the path! The trails that run next to the river are often slippery. It can be extremely muddy, especially on the Tipperary side, so make sure you wear wellies or waterproof footwear. The river level can change markedly and can rise dramatically when the river is in flood. Use common sense! If the water is too high, leave it and come back another time. The glens are a lovely place to walk your dog but do please keep it on a leash. Finally, please take your rubbish away with you.