Near Trempealeau in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Geology of Perrot State Park
Millions of Years Ago
[drawing]
Millions of years ago, Trempealeau Mountain, the bluffs of Perrot State Park, and the Minnesota upland across the river were all one continuous rock mass. Over time, Cedar Creek, Big Trout Creek, and their tributaries carved channels that would isolate Trempealeau Mountain. This drawing shows that the Mississippi River ran north of the park.
Present Day
[drawing]
During the last part of the Ice Age, some 50,000 years ago, glacial meltwaters laden with sand, gravel, and debris blocked the river's previous route. This forced the Mississippi River to seek a new channel. This drawing shows how this diversion shifted the boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota. We can thank the glacier for giving Wisconsin the gift of Perrot State Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 44° 1.398′ N, 91° 29.22′ W. Marker is near Trempealeau, Wisconsin, in Trempealeau County. Marker can be reached from South Park Road. Marker is in Perrot State Park (fee area) at a vista near the Black Walnut Nature Trail parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: W26247 Sullivan Road, Trempealeau WI 54661, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Brady's Bluff (approx. ¾ mile away); Perrot's Post (approx. 0.9 miles away); French Post (approx. 0.9 miles away); James Allen Reed / Trempealeau (approx. 2.6 miles away); Pickwick Mill (approx. 3 miles away in Minnesota); Historic Lake Labelle (approx. 3 miles away in Minnesota); The Mississippi River Parkway: (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Bunnell House (approx. 3.6 miles away in Minnesota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Trempealeau.
More about this marker. Wisconsin map caption:
Maximum extent of glacial ice in Wisconsin. Glacial meltwaters shaped the landscape at Perrot State Park, not glacial ice.
Legend
[red triangle] You are here
[yellow] Limestone bluffs formed from sediment deposited by shallow seas over 450 million years ago
[white] Flood Plain
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 30, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.