Walk Through 126 Acres Of Rock Formations At Wisconsin's Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published April 17, 2020
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area has got to be one of Wisconsin’s most incredible natural wonders. The small town gem is brimming with beauty, diverse rock formations, and a canyon that’s 200 feet deep. Luckily, there’s a short loop trail that makes it easy to see the park’s most notable features. Take a look:
Absolutely gorgeous, Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area is hidden in Rock Springs, which is about 15 miles west of Baraboo.
Millions of years in the making, it was formed by sediment that sunk to the bottom of an ancient sea, which once covered the area. Eventually, the sediment turned into sandstone and then quartzite, which geologic forces lifted and bent into vertical layers.
But that’s not all. Over time, another ancient sea filled the area, covering the pre-existing layers with even more sediment. And just like the first time, the layers eventually turned to stone.
At Ableman’s Gorge, you can actually see these layers, which is what makes the site so unique. Because so much history can be seen in the exposed rock, it’s long been frequented by researchers and geology students.
Layers of quartzite, sandstone, and conglomerate can all be seen. You’ll also notice ripple marks, which interestingly enough, were once at the bottom of the sea floor!
Short and sweet, the loop trail is filled with all sorts of beautiful sights, including lush forests, diverse rock formations, remnants of an old quarry, and depending on the time of year, plants that aren’t typically found in the surrounding area.
Among the interesting rock formations that fill the natural area is Van Hise Rock. Geologically renowned, the rock is named after Professor Van Hise, a famed Wisconsin geologist who extensively studied the area surrounding Ableman’s Gorge.
