Fig. 31.The Lighthouse, an erosional remnant and the “trademark” of Palo Duro Canyon, exhibits well the geologic phenomenon of differential erosion (p. 31).
Fig. 31.The Lighthouse, an erosional remnant and the “trademark” of Palo Duro Canyon, exhibits well the geologic phenomenon of differential erosion (p. 31).
A loop marks the end of Park Road 5 and the conclusion of the scenic drive. Located in this area are a number of fine camping areas, picnic grounds, the old stone cottages called the “Cow Cabins,” and rest rooms with shower facilities (fig. 36).
Fig. 32.The “dome” on Capitol Peak is a well-known canyon landmark. Composed of the Tecovas and QuartermasterFormations, the profile of Capitol Peak is referred to as the Sleeping Indian. (The “Indian’s” head can be seen in the right background.)
Fig. 32.The “dome” on Capitol Peak is a well-known canyon landmark. Composed of the Tecovas and QuartermasterFormations, the profile of Capitol Peak is referred to as the Sleeping Indian. (The “Indian’s” head can be seen in the right background.)
Fig. 33.Fortress Cliff is a prominent feature on the eastern rim of the canyon. Seen here are the precipitous cliffs developed in the Ogallalacaliche(p. 26) and thesandstonesandshalesof the TrujilloFormation.
Fig. 33.Fortress Cliff is a prominent feature on the eastern rim of the canyon. Seen here are the precipitous cliffs developed in the Ogallalacaliche(p. 26) and thesandstonesandshalesof the TrujilloFormation.
Fig. 34.TheRockGarden is a jumbled mass of Trujillosandstoneboulders that mark the site of an ancient landslide.
Fig. 34.TheRockGarden is a jumbled mass of Trujillosandstoneboulders that mark the site of an ancient landslide.
There are a number of established trails for the visitor who is interested in hiking. The more popular trails include those to the Spanish Skirts and Catarina Cave (p. 37), the Devil’s Tombstone, the Lighthouse (p. 39), and the Devil’s Slide (p. 40). Park rangers will be glad to provide more complete information about these and other trails within the canyon.
Saddle horses can be rented at the stables located east of the road near the Pioneer Amphitheatre. There are a number of trail rides that can be taken on well-trained horses accustomed to the rugged terrain of the canyon. Additional information may be obtained from the attendants at the stable.
An ample number of well-developed camping and picnic areas are scattered throughout the canyon. Most are located adjacent to or a short distance from Park Road 5; they are equipped with outdoor fireplaces and tables. Running water, rest rooms, and showers are provided in certain areas. Campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis, and there is a 10-day limit on overnight camping. Detailed information on camping regulations and camping areas is available from a park ranger or at the Entrance Station.
Palo Duro Canyon offers many opportunities for both amateur and professional photography. The multi-coloredrock formations, erosional land-forms, and plants and animals offer limitless possibilities to the creative and imaginative photographer. Color shots are especially effective, but a haze filter will be helpful when photographing distant objects. Morning and afternoon are the best times for picture taking as the mid-day sun is “flat” and lends little perspective to the canyon scene.
Fig. 35.The Devil’s Slide in the south end of the park is an eroded spur of Tecovasshales. Some of the “slides” made by visitors are indicated by the arrow.
Fig. 35.The Devil’s Slide in the south end of the park is an eroded spur of Tecovasshales. Some of the “slides” made by visitors are indicated by the arrow.
Fig. 36.Outcropsof the Quartermaster (1) and Tecovas (2)Formationsprovide a geological backdrop for this campsite near the turnaround at the end of Park Road 5.
Fig. 36.Outcropsof the Quartermaster (1) and Tecovas (2)Formationsprovide a geological backdrop for this campsite near the turnaround at the end of Park Road 5.
Fig. 37.Located on the campus of West Texas State University in Canyon, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum has many exhibits of historical and geological interest that will enhance one’s visit to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. (Courtesy Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.)
Fig. 37.Located on the campus of West Texas State University in Canyon, the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum has many exhibits of historical and geological interest that will enhance one’s visit to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. (Courtesy Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.)
The visitor to Palo Duro Canyon State Park would do well to start his visit at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum located on the campus of West Texas State University in Canyon (fig. 37). Here all phases of history—recent, archeologic, and geologic—are depicted in the various halls. In the Hall of Pre-History are the fossilized remains and reconstructions of ancient animals that were entombed in the canyonwalls as long as 200 million years ago. Elsewhere there are exhibits and dioramas that portray human history in the Palo Duro area. Beginning with the oldest known evidence of human occupation about 12,000 years ago, there is a succession of displays that tell the story of man in the Palo Duro—High Plains region. These exhibits follow man from the early Indians living in stone shelters, to the horse-using nomadic plains Indians who relied heavily on the great herds of bison and who fought a desperate but losing battle to save their homeland from invasion by the white man. Here, too, is the story of the coming of the Spanish conquistadores, thecomancheros(seep. 6), and the advent of the anglican settler. All are portrayed by means of artifacts that represent the different cultures of the region’s colorful past.
The major theme of the Museum is the history of the High Plains during theperiodof the cattle industry of the open range. One entire hall is devoted to the display of saddles, spurs, lariats, barbed wire, branding irons, a chuck wagon, and a life size model of a typical cowboy of the Old West. The Museum also houses one of the nation’s finest collections of guns of the Old West, the Old World, and guns of today. Other highlights include scale models depicting scenes of the Old West, exhibits of typical rooms from pioneer homes furnished with furniture of thatera, a fine assortment of antique vehicles, and famous collections of Western art.
The Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum is easily reached from any of the major highways that pass through Canyon. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays.
Brand, J. P.(1956) Triassic System,inEastern Llano Estacado and adjoining Osage Plains: West Texas Geol. Soc. and Lubbock Geol. Soc., Guidebook, Spring Field Trip, April 6-7, 1956, pp. 8-9.
Cummins, W. F.(1890) The Permian of Texas and its overlying beds: Texas Geol. Survey 1st Ann. Rept. (1889), pp. 183-197.
—— (1893) Notes on the geology of northwestern Texas: Texas Geol. Survey 4th Ann. Rept. (1892), pt. 1, pp. 177-238.
Drake, N. F.(1892) Stratigraphy of the Triassic formations of northeast Texas: Texas Geol. Survey 3rd Ann. Rept. (1891), pp. 225-247.
Evans, G. L.(1949) Upper Cenozoic of the High Plains: West Texas Geol. Soc. and New Mexico Geol. Soc., Guidebook for Field Trip No. 2, November 9, 1949, pp. 1-9.
*——, andMeade, G. E.(1945) Quaternary of the Texas High Plains,inContributions to Geology, 1944: Univ. Texas Pub. 4401, pp. 485-507.
*Frye, J. C., andLeonard, A. B.(1957) Studies of Cenozoic geology along eastern margin of Texas High Plains, Armstrong to Howard counties: Univ. Texas, Bur. Econ. Geol. Rept. Inves. No. 32, 62 pp.
*——, and —— (1959) Correlation of the Ogallala Formation (Neogene) in western Texas with type localities in Nebraska: Univ. Texas, Bur. Econ. Geol. Rept. Inves. No. 39, 46 pp.
*——, and —— (1964) Relation of Ogallala Formation to the southern High Plains in Texas: Univ. Texas, Bur. Econ. Geol. Rept. Inves. No. 51, 25 pp.
*Girard, R. M.(1959) Bibliography and index of Texas geology: Univ. Texas Pub. 5910, 238 pp.
*—— (1964) Texas rocks and minerals: Univ. Texas, Bur. Econ. Geol. Guidebook No. 6, 109 pp.
Gould, C. N.(1902) The geology and water resources of the eastern portion of the Panhandle of Texas: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 154, 64 pp.
—— (1907) The geology and water resources of the western portion of the Panhandle of Texas: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 191, 70 pp.
*Matthews, W. H., III (1960) Texas fossils: An amateur collector’s handbook: Univ. Texas, Bur. Econ. Geol. Guidebook No. 2, 123 pp.
*Patton, L. T.(1923) The geology of Potter County [Texas]: Univ. Texas Bull. 2330, 180 pp.
*Reed, L. C., andLongnecker, O. M.(1932) The geology of Hemphill County, Texas: Univ. Texas Pub. 3231, 98 pp.
*Sellards, E. H.,Adkins, W. S., andPlummer, F. B.(1933) The geology of Texas, Vol. I, Stratigraphy: Univ. Texas Bull. 3232 (August 22, 1932), 1007 pp.
West Texas State University Geological Society(1964) Palo Duro Field Trip Guidebook: West Texas State Univ. Geol. Soc., Canyon, 18 pp.
—— (1960) Geology of Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Panhandle of Texas: West Texas State Univ. Geol. Soc., Guidebook for 1966 SASGS Annual Field Trip, April 15-17, 1966, 58 pp.
Smith, A. R.(1967) Caves of Palo Duro Canyon: The Texas Caver, Abilene, Texas, vol. 12, pp. 145-148.
Abrasion—erosion ofrockmaterial by friction of solid particles moved by water, ice, wind, or gravity.
Absolute time—geologic timemeasured in years. Compare with relative time.
Amphibians—cold-blooded four-footed animals which have gills in youth and lungs in maturity (e.g., frog).
Anhydrite—themineralcalcium sulfate, CaSO₄.SeeGypsum.
Anticline—an arch-like fold in therocks, with the beds dipping in opposite directions on the two sides.
Aquifer—a water-bearing layer of porous and permeablerock.
Aragonite—a form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
Archeozoic—the oldest known geologicalera; early Precambrian.
Bedding plane—the plane of demarcation between two individualrocklayers orstrata.
Calcite—amineralcomposed of calcium carbonate, CaCO₃.
Caliche—an accumulation of calcium carbonate, commonly white in color, in the soil profile.
Cenozoic—the latesteraof geologic time, containing the Tertiary and QuaternaryPeriodsand continuing to the present time.
Chert—dense, hardrockof very fine-grainedsilica, usually in nodular form. This material is also called flint.
Concretion—a concentration, usually spherical, ofmineralmatter insedimentaryrocks, produced by deposits from solution; it is harder than the surrounding rock.
Conglomerate—asedimentary rockcomposed of rounded, water-worn gravel, usually mixed with sand, and cemented together by anothermineralsubstance.
Coprolite—the fossilized excrement of animals.
Eolian—pertaining to the erosion and the deposits resulting from wind action and tosedimentary rockscomposed of wind-transported material.
Epoch—a subdivision of a geologicperiod, such as thePlioceneEpochof the Tertiary Period.
Era—a major division ofgeologic time. All geologic time is divided into five eras: theArcheozoic,Proterozoic,Paleozoic,Mesozoic, andCenozoicEras.
Fluorescence—luminescence of amineralduring exposure to radiation (such as from ultraviolet or X-rays).
Fluvial deposit—sedimentdeposited by streams.
Formation—arockunit useful for mapping and distinguished primarily on the basis of lithologic character.
Fossil—any remains or traces of plants or animals preserved in deposits of a pastgeologic age.
Geode—a hollow stone, usually lined or filled withmineralmatter.
Geologic age—the age of an object as stated in terms ofgeologic time(e.g., a Pennsylvanian fern, Cretaceous dinosaur).
Geologic time—all time which has elapsed since the first knownrockswere formed and continuing until recent, or modern, times.
Geologic time scale—record of the divisions of earth history.
Gypsum—amineral, hydrated calcium sulfate (CaSO₄·2H₂O).SeeAnhydrite.
Hoodoo—a form produced by erosion ofrock.
Ice age—thePleistoceneEpochof the QuaternaryPeriod,CenozoicEra; a time of extensive glaciation.
Igneous rock—rockswhich have solidified from lava or molten rock called magma.
Joint—a fracture in arockalong which there has been no displacement on opposite sides of the break.
Joint System—a series of two or more sets ofjointspassing through arockmass and separating it into blocks of more or less regular pattern.
Mass-wasting—erosion caused chiefly by gravity.
Mesozoic—the geologicerabetween thePaleozoicandCenozoicEras; the “Age of Reptiles.”
Metamorphic rock—rockformed fromigneousorsedimentary rocksthat have been subjected to great changes in temperature, pressure, or chemical environment.
Metamorphism—the process wherebyrocksare changed physically by heat, pressure, or chemical environment into different kinds.
Mineral—a naturally occurring inorganic substance possessing definite chemical and physical properties.
Nodule—rounded lump ofrockormineral.
Outcrop—the area where a particularrockformationcomes to the surface.
Paleontology—the science which deals with the study offossils.
Paleozoic—thateraofgeologic timefollowing theProterozoicand preceding theMesozoic.
Period—a basic unit of thegeologic time scaleinto which the eras are divided, such as the PennsylvanianPeriodof thePaleozoicEra.
Permian—the seventh and lastperiodof thePaleozoicEra.
Pleistocene—the first of the two epochs of the QuaternaryPeriod, and that which precedes modern time, known as the GreatIce Age.
Pliocene—last and youngestepochof the TertiaryPeriodof theCenozoicEra.
Proterozoic—youngesteraof the Precambrian; follows theArcheozoicEra and precedes the CambrianPeriodof thePaleozoicEra.
Red beds—a general term for redsandstone,shales, etc., which appear to characterize aridperiodsin the past.
Ripple marks—wave-like corrugations produced in unconsolidated materials by wind or water.
Rock—any natural aggregate ofmineralmatter, usually consisting of a mixture of two or more minerals.
Sandstone—sedimentary rockcomposed of cemented sand grains, usually quartz.
Sediment—material that has been deposited by settling from a transportation agent such as water or air.
Sedimentary rock—rocksformed by the accumulation ofsediments.
Shale—asedimentary rockformed by the hardening of mud and clay and usually tending to split into thin sheets or layers.
Silica—an oxide of silicon (SiO₂).
Siliceous—containing or pertaining tosilica.
Silt—fine muddysedimentconsisting of particles intermediate in size between clay particles and sand grains.
Siltstone—a very fine-grainedsedimentary rockcomposed ofsiltgrains, and intermediate betweenshaleandsandstone.
Stratified rocks—sedimentary rocks; those formed in beds, layers, orstrata.
Stratum—an individual layer ofrock formation. (Plural,strata.)
Superposition, law of—in an undisturbed sequence ofrocksyounger beds overlie older beds.
Syncline—a trough-like fold in therocks, with the beds dipping inward on either side.SeeAnticline.
Talus—a mass ofrockdebris commonly on slopes or at the base of a steep mountain or cliff.
Topography—the configuration of a land surface.
Unconformity—a break in the sequence ofrockformationswhich separates youngerstratafrom older ones; caused primarily by removal of older rocks by erosion before those of a later sequence were laid down.
Weathering—any natural process, mechanical or chemical, wherebyrocksare disintegrated or decomposed into smaller particles and ultimately into clay and soil.
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