Cliffs, Caves & Crystals: The Pahasapa Formation

🚙 Located 2.1 miles up the canyon from the intersection of Colorado Bvd. and US 14A at Spearfish

GPS Coordinates N 44.27.364 W 103.51.757 3,917 ft.

Site Access

As you’re headed up the canyon (driving south) on US 14A you’ll see a large roadside turnout along the right side of the highway shortly after rounding a curve (2.1 miles). This is an ideal place to pull in and secure your vehicle. You have arrived at the lesson site! This site features the tall cliffs directly along the highway at this location as well as one small cave in the cliffside only a few feet above the roadside pullout. Should you decide to scramble up and look into the cave we urge caution. The rocks are sharp so even a short fall can result in injury.

Cliffs, Caves And Crystals Update 3.pdf

In–Depth Geology Lesson pdf

A great document to print for those who want to dig deeper into the geologic story.

The splendid cliffs of limestone rock

Create the canyon's rim.

Adorned with crystal, caves and more

From seas it formed within.

Field Exploration

No other geologic formation exemplifies the cliff-faced character of Spearfish Canyon more than the Pahasapa Limestone. In this exciting exploration you'll be introduced to its geologic story and be provided with an opportunity to peer into a roadside cave to examine some of the formation's amazing calcite crystals.

This pdf Lesson Guide contains the specific directions for reaching our featured site as well as a detailed explanation of its geologic story for those desiring more depth. Mileage and coordinates are provided in each document and roadmaps and other learning aids can be found at the Geologic Resources link in the sidebar menu. The document is most useful if you have it in hand at the geologic site. Exercise extreme caution at the lesson site and along roadways.

Are you ready. . . . Let's Go! S. V. Fogarty & W. R. Stevens

The Mississippian Pahasapa, is the thickest formation Spearfish Canyon and hosts most of the Black HIlls caves. Age and thickness are approximates.

Pahasapa Formation

This view is looking west from the parking turnout at the Lesson Site. The Pahasapa Formation is a buff-colored limestone that was deposited in the ancient Mississippian Sea some 300+ million years ago. See the Stratigraphic Column on the left for the position of the Pahasapa Limestone within the formations exposed here in Spearfish Canyon.

Limestone Cave

This small cave is located directly alongside the parking turnout. Caves, like this one, often form in layers of limestone and are common occurrences in the Pahasapa Formation.

Roadside Cavern

A cautious scramble up to the cave for a look inside reveals a significant number of calcite crystals. Calcite is a pure form of limestone in crystalline form. Although the crystals resemble gemstones they are relatively soft and worthless. Many a miner, upon discovering calcite, has been fooled into thinking they've struck it rich. Keep your eyes open for other caves throughout Spearfish Canyon.

Calcite Crystals in Cavern

This photo was taken at arms length inside the small cave. The numerous calcite crystal that encrust the cave walls are a variety known as Dogtooth Spar.

Vertical cliffs of the Pahasapa Limestone

Vertical Cliffs of the Mississippian Pahasapa Limestone.

Most of the taller, vertical cliffs you'll see throughout the canyon are exposures of the Pahasapa Formation, a vast layer of limestone that formed from the accumulated remains of hard-shelled invertebrates on the seafloor.

Pahasapa Limestone near Roughlock Falls.

Note the dark mineral stains which are so common on the limestone cliff faces throughout the canyon.

There's more to this story than meets the eye. Download our In-Depth Lesson pdf above if you desire a more thorough coverage.

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