Beginning beneath the surface
The granite outcrops and boulders around you were once well beneath the surface. The granite formed as a great molten body about 280 million years ago, when parts of the continental crust melted during a period of heating. The heat arose as the great crustal plates beneath us were compressed and then relaxed.
After cooling and solidifying some kilometres underground, the granite has been exposed over time as the older rocks above have weathered away.The gorge you now stand in resulted from a deep fracture in the rock, with the creek carving its way through this area of weakness.
Over time, rain, air and everyday heating exfoliated these boulders, contributing to their smooth, round appearance. Smooth dome-like boulders appear randomly along the track. Some have hurtled down from surrounding slopes, but others are remnants left behind as the surrounding material was eroded away.
To log the cache answer the following question:
The shapes of the granite rocks at the coordinates and on the opposite side of the gorge are completely different. Compare the structure and colours of granite on both sides and try to explain the formation of different rocks.
Email us your answer. We look forward to photos of the gorge, but please no spoiler photos of the coordinates.