GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA

2003 FIELD TRIP NUMBER 3

Great River Road--Continued.  Red Wing to Lanesboro, MN

Date:  Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27, 2003

Leaders:  Dr. Bob Sloane, Professor Emeritus of Paleontology with special guest "The Other Dr. Sloane"--Sally Sloane.

HIGHLIGHTS:   This trip will emphasize the effects of the structure of the Paleozoic Rocks of SE Minnesota and the effects of the Pleistocene Glaciers on the rivers of the region.  Trip will start with Red Wing Fault--150 feet of vertical movement that brought the Franconian up to the level of the St Lawrence.  We will see evidence of stream piracy along Hay Creek and will see the Red Wing--Rochester anticline where the rocks dip 200 feet in one mile on the east side.  Variations in the Jordan, Prairie du Chien and Platteville show this anticline was developing during the Cambrian and Ordovician.  Southeastern Minnesota is often called part of the "driftless area."  IT IS NOT!  We will see evidence of the ice front left by the Nebraskan glacier 700,000 years ago and the resulting double Mississippi valley.  We will examine the formation of Lake Pepin and we will end the first day at Winona.

On Sunday at 10:00 AM, we will meet at Drs. Sloane's house (directions will be given on Saturday).  We will get a view of Trempealeau Mountain with its landslides caused by Burlington-Northern railroad quarrying and the double Mississippi valley.  We will drive along scenic Apple Blossom meanders--right here in Minnesota!  Near Lanesboro, we will stop at Rifle Hill to collect fossils.  We can also visit Mystery Cave (where the temperature is always a comfortable 49 degrees).

WHEN AND HOW:  Saturday, July 26, we will meet at 9:00 AM in Red Wing, Minnesota, at the old Pottery store building on the strip mall side.  Look for the Drs. Sloane with their red umbrella.  On Sunday, we will gather at Sloanes' house at 10:00 AM (directions will be given Saturday).

Please note:  Carpooling is strongly recommended due to parking limitations at some sites.

ACCOMODATIONS:  For motel and camping arrangements, visit website visitwinona.com or call the Winona Visitors Bureau 1-800-657-4972.  Quality Inn--1-800-562-4544 or Holiday Inn--1-888-292-0303.  Winona is approximately 1.5 hours from Red Wing.

PREPARATION:  Come prepared for any type of weather or terrain.  Be prepared for short hikes--have sun protection and bring adequate water.  Bring a bag lunch for Saturday.  Saturday night we are planning a group dining experience at Jefferson's in Winona for those who wish to take part.  Sunday we plan to finish around lunch time in Lanesboro where there are plenty of restaurants.  If you are driving, have a full tank of gas each morning.  Each field trip participant will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to the start of the field trip.

COST:  Cost of the field trip for members is $10 per adult (18 and older) per day.  Non-members pay an additional $5 per day fee.

PLEASE CALL:  If you are planning to participate in the field trip, please call Diane Lentsch at 612-725-0771.  Please RSVP by Wednesday, July 23, so Professor Sloane can prepare enough handouts.