Talus Cave - Palcines, CA
Posted by: 
TerryDad2
N 36° 38.395 W 121° 11.208
10S E 662096 N 4056459
These are talus cave, a rather uncommon form of cave, formed by rocks falling down from above.
Waymark Code: WM1DDA
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/11/2007
Views: 67
These caves are in the Pinnacles National Monument.
Talus is the rock that falls from steep slopes and cliffs and accumulates at its base. The size of the rocks in talus ranges widely and can include huge boulders to sand grains. Normally this material forms a loose pile of jumbled rocks at the base of the slope.
However, this is not the case here because of the narrow canyons that have formed. Faults and fractures (natural cracks that form in rock) have created steep narrow canyons. As the large pieces of rock break off from above and fall into the narrow canyon, they become stuck between the walls. The National park service believes that a rockfall (the breaking off of a large number of boulders at one time) during the last series of ice ages created the Balconies Cave.
Continued weathering of the cliffs above, continues to fill in the small spaces in between the boulders that form the top of the cave. Occasionally, flash floods flow through the canyon and remove the smaller rocks.
Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes
Access fee (In local currency): 5.00
Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no
Public Transport available: no
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: Not Listed
Website reference: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.