Limestone cliffs of Gates of the MountainsGates of the MountainsJuly 26, 2007. We are staying in Lincoln Road RV-Park Helena, Montana less than a mile west of I-15 at exit 200. Lincoln Road RV-Park is about 10-miles north of downtown Helena but in a very good position access everything in the area. $25.04 with Good Sam discount plus-taxes for FHU in nice gravel pull thru sites with some shade. Free wifi was available but no cable TV.
Today we are taking a scenic and historic boat ride on the Missouri River through what is know as Gates of the Mountains. This is the name given the area by Lewis and Clark when they traversed this area in 1865. Gates of the Mountains is located 19-miles north of Helena and is accessed from exit 209 on I-15.
Towering limestone cliffs on both sides of the Missouri River at entrance to Gates of the Mountains in Montana
Limestone cliffs tower above both sides of the river. These cliffs are what prompted Meriwether Lewis to call this area Gates to the Mountains since he knew they were near the Rocky Mountains and the source of the Missouri River.
Limestone cliffs on the Missouri River in Gates of the Mountains, Montana
The limestone cliffs take on so many different shapes and so many different appearances.
Cavities and caves visible in limestone cliffs in Gates of the Mountains
The side of this cliff is peppered with caves and holes all created by water. Limestone is porous and as such allows rain water to percolate through. However, water can and will dissolve limestone especially acid water. In any event water dissolves cavities. When these cavities are exposed in cliffs they become caves.
Titanic forces created these two different strata of limestone
Here is two different strata of limestone.
This limestone has been contorted and bent until it is now in an almost vertical position. Keep in mind that this limestone was born on the bottom of an ancient sea some 350-million years ago. These limestone deposits are hundreds of feet deep and were in the making over possibly a 100-million years. Then this area was uplifted when molten lava deep in the earth exerted pressure. The sea floor became dry land then the seafloor continued to uplift. The limestone crust cracked and distorted as the pressure kept pushing it up. In the case of this rock it has been thrust up to an almost vertical position. At one time this mass of limestone was below sea level and now finds itself at over 4,000 feet above sea level.
Limestone walls in Gates of the Mountains
The Missouri River has cut a path through this limestone creating these sharp banks.
Note how two different strata of limestone are wedged toghether along this ancient fault line.
Limestone with a wedge in it
The Missouri River has exposed this wonderful expanse of limestone. The wedge of rock has been engulfed by the surrounding rock.
Visual evidence of geologic forces
The tan limestone on the left side appears to have been encapsulated by the igneous intrusion (darker rock). This all happened deep underground when the liquid magma was forcing its way into cracks in the limestone. While the pressure of the liquid magma never did make its way to the surface here it did uplift this entire area know as Gates to the Mountains.
Geologic arch or anticline is formed in this limestone in Gates of the Mountains
Smoke from the Meriweather Fire is making it difficult to see the geology but here the layers of limestone are nearly vertical instead of laying flat. I say nearly vertical but if you examine the limestone in the left side of this picture it is actually making an arch or what geologist refer to as an anticline.
Horizontal layers of limestone visible above the Meriwether Fire
On the opposite side of the river limestone is laying horizontal just as it was formed over 300 million years ago. Yes, that is the Meriwether fire burning in the understory. I have multiple travel logs that cover the Meriwether fire if you are interested try one of these: 2007 #129 Fire in Gates to the Mountains 2007 #129aa Meriwether Fire of 2007 2007 #129bb Helicopters Fighting Meriwether Fire 2007 129cc Fire Fighting Helicopters
Honeycone nature of limestone cliffs of Gates of the Mountains
This picture highlights not only the Meriwether fire but the honeycone nature of these limestone cliffs.
Yes that is smoke from the Meriwether fire. It looks like a small fire has started on that cliff.
A geology question about this limestone formation
I wonder if those two bands of softer material might have been ash falling from a volcano. Or possibly this area was in a shallow bay with a river emptying into it. A flood or some other event may have carried a foot of silt into the bay causing these two bands.
Osprey nest on top of a hoodoo
This osprey nest high on that pinnacle caught our eye. It appears to be safe from predators on that perch.
The two structures are called hoodoos.
Limestone hoodoos visible in Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
Note how erosion has carved these cliffs in the limestone. Those formations are called hoodoos.
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Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
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