» posted on 9:27pm - June 16 2009 | posted by xcom This isn't actually a natural bridge as it is in a whole different geologic time period. The place I went to goes through three different geologic periods within a matter of a couple hundred feet. The Natural bridges are limestone which is where most caves are at too. Now this is the sandstone that caps all the ridges and hills around here. It is an abrupt precipice type of formation left over from erosion. Leaving the hills with these big sandstone caps ninety feet sheer. The best way to get to many is from below but at some spots there are fissures that have worn through since sandstone erodes very easy. This area also has a different plant makeup with rhododendrons and hemlock more common and a lot more ferns because of nutrients the sandstone lets out. Also more critters as you will see! This is a sandstone arch which has worn free of the rest of the cap. Kentucky has the second most sandstone arches in the US after Utah and the most caves in the US including the longest one (Mammoth cave at the other end of the state).
this is where we came down from a natural fissure. Not as small as it looks either. Thats about 80 feet high and 6 feet wide. Those leaves on top would have looked wonderful a month earlier as rhododendrons bloom in great colors.
Moss loves nutritious sandstone too!
These giant hemlock roots up top make amazing scenery.
Sandstone wears easily so over a fairly short time if water drips in one place repetitively for say a couple hundred years you get these drip holes that open up. In limestone caves nearby you can find four feet deep ones and they are wide enough for your whole foot.
Greenery under the arch.
Looking up!
Flow patterns on sandstone.
A small natural fissure.
A little bird nest I found near the sandstone.
Some mushrooms. There were lots of different kinds.
This little millipede didn't turn out great by any means but he was red and blue which I thought was neat!
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