Everything about Cathedral Gorge State Park totally explained
Cathedral Gorge State Park is a
Nevada State Park covering 1,608
acres (7.19 km²). It is located in Central/Eastern
Nevada 1
mile (2 km) north of the intersection of
U.S. Route 93 and
State Route 319, near
Panaca. Cathedral Gorge was first established as one of the four original Nevada State Parks in 1935. The park sits at an elevation of 4,800 feet (1,500 m) above sea level, and is typically arid with very hot summers, and very cold winters. In the summer, temperatures usually range from 95 degrees
Fahrenheit (35 degrees
Celsius) in mid-day to roughly 55 °F (13 °C) at night. Rainfall is variable, and thunderstorms are prevalent. At one time,
Shakespearian plays were performed with the
clay formations in the backdrop. The various naturally formed crevices were used as dressing rooms, and as a backstage where
actors and
actresses would prepare, awaiting their cue.
Natural history
Geology
A majority of
Meadow Valley (which lies along U.S. Route 93 from the towns of
Caliente to
Panaca) was covered by a freshwater lake nearly 1 million years ago during the
Pliocene Era. The richly colored canyons of Cathedral Gorge (called the
Panaca Formation) are remnants of this ancient lakebed. Over centuries, the lake began to gradually drain.
Erosion began working away at the exposed portions of
sediment and
gravel that once composed the lake bottom. Rainwater and melting snow carved
rivulets in the soft
siltstone and
clay shale, splitting tiny cracks and fissures into larger and larger gullies and canyons.
Plants
In areas below the eroded
escarpment (dubbed the "Badland") it's difficult for plantlife to take root in the constantly eroding clay. However, away from the clay, the park's diverse
soil types allow various plant associations to grow. Fragile sand dunes are held firm thanks to a wide array of
wildflowers and
grasses, such as
Dune Primroses and
Indian Rice Grass. Within the valley center, clay, sand, and gravel have melded to form a rich,
granulated soil that encourages the growth of the following species: narrowleaf
yucca,
juniper trees, Barberry
sagebrush,
greasewood,
white sage,
shadscale,
four-winged saltbush.
Rabbitbrush finds sanctuary in disturbed areas, such as roadsides and walkways. Very few species of
cactus can tolerate the climate in Cathedral Gorge, where
temperatures in winter can fall below freezing, and rise above 100 °F (40 °C) in summer.
Other trees, not native to the park, have been planted around the campground to provide shade.
Animals
Small mammals form a majority of the park's animal population:
black-tailed jackrabbits,
cottontail rabbits,
coyotes,
gophers,
kangaroo rats
kit foxes,
mice, and
skunks.
Deer can be observed infrequently near Miller Point during the late
fall and winter.
Birds are seen frequently around camp areas, and near dense patches of
shrubs. The natives include,
blackbirds,
black-throated sparrows,
finches,
American kestrels, small
hawks,
ravens,
roadrunners,
American robins,
sapsuckers, and introduced
European starlings. Migratory birds include,
bluebirds,
cedar waxwings,
hummingbirds, and
warblers.
Various species of non-
poisonous snakes and lizards are abundant. In the summer, the
Great Basin rattlesnake may be spotted.
Further Information
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