Forellensprung

The upper reaches of the river has cut back more and more over the millennia. This process is called "retrogressive erosion". It is characteristic of all river systems which flow the Rhine. At the tertiary the Upper Rhine Rift broke down, creating a significantly lower erosion base.

Erosion means the removal of rocks or soil on the earth's surface by wind or water. In the retrogressive erosion, the water rushes over a ridge of relatively resistant rock. Under this stone lies a layer that is weaker. Due to turbulence at the foot of the waterfall a plunge pool is formed. It expanded over time and erodes the more resistant layer, and thus the edge of the waterfall. In consequence it looses its stability and breaks off. The waterfall retreats back upstream. Above the falls the river flows quietly, below the falls it forms a ravine by the erosion process.

Despite the name, it is very unlikely that trouts can climb the waterfall.

To log this cache, answer the following questions by email.  You can find some answers on an information board. Optional you can take a photo with you and / or your GPS at the given coordinates with the waterfall in the background and add it to your log.

A. Give a different name for limestone (Kalksandstein). You will find it (in German!) on the information board.
B. At which altitude is the Forellensprung?
C. Estimate the height of the waterfall in whole meters.

Send me a message with your answers. You can log right after you sent me the mail. If something is wrong I will contact you. Entries without permission will be deleted!

Directions:
Follow the sign "Langenberg" from the parking lot near Langenberg and the hiking mark "blue dot" to the waterfall. Note here also the T-rating: The track to the waterfall can be quite slippery after rain.