I wanted to place a simple Earthcache in this beautiful area to educate you about this park, and also bring you to it for some great trails and other geocaches. Enjoy and have fun learning! This Earthcache is located on the Sleeping Elk Trail.
Go to the posted coordinates to complete this cache.

South Table Mountain Park holds growing appeal for the region. The park combines panoramic mesa-top views, prized habitat for cliff-nesting raptors and proximity for many visitors to enjoy hikes, runs and rides. Some plant and animal species you may encounter are: Golden Eagle, Mountain Mahogany, and Mule Deer. Stay on the trail, there are sensitive areas and private property throughout.

"Table Mountain formation is the result of violent volcanic eruptions where lava flowed into an ancient stream channel, displacing the water and solidifying as a great lava cast of the river. Over millions of years the adjacent softer soils eroded away into the Central Valley, leaving Table Mountain standing in bold relief above the pastoral landscape."

"There were three basic stages in the formation of Table Mountain. The initial stage began with the Tertiary Stanislaus River,which flowed through moderately rolling hills flanked by subtropical vegetation. During stage two, nine and one-half million years later, steaming hot lava followed the easiest course downhill into the bed of the river, but not overflowing the path of the river. The lava flow cooled into a much harder material than the surrounding soil. The final stage progressed over millions of years, when the softer soils eroded away, leaving a lava-topped mountain formation shaped by the river’s winding course."

You will find some additional information about this area on a sign at the posted coordinates.

TO LOG THIS CACHE:
You must answer these questions and e-mail me your answers. Do NOT post answers in your log (even if encrypted) or it will be deleted. Logs without verification will also be deleted. Photos are not required, but are encouraged (without spoilers).

1. How long ago did streams flow across the Golden Valley?
2. Look at the rock formations from the coordinates, featured on the sign. Tell me the name of this type of rock. Hint: Volcanic. Please share with me a physical characteristic of these rocks that you're observing.
3. There are two channels identified on the sign: SC and BC. SC stands for Stream Channel. You will learn what BC stands for too. What differences do you notice between these two locations? Are they eroded differently? Why?
4. Are the channels still evident today?
5. Please post a photo of yourself or your group in the park (optional)

First to Find Honor Goes To: youkfish