Shell in Big Horn County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Carving a Course
The large, granite building blocks of Shell Canyon are an extraordinary 2.5 billion years old. Called basement or bedrock, they form the bottom layer covering the molten material in the earth’s core.
At some point, the huge plate of bedrock fractured – one side shifted up and the other dropped down in opposite directions, forming the first stage of the canyon. Stream water calls dramatic attention to the fault line – dropping sharply over the 75 foot ledge of Shell Falls.
The Granite of Shell Canyon
Listen. Can you hear the thunder? Feel the power? The power comes from water – confined narrowly by rock and pulled strongly by gravity.
The dynamic forces of water against rock move the mountain downstream one small piece at a time – exposing millions of years of geologic history.
Erected by Bighorn National Forest.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 44° 35.203′ N, 107° 36.899′ W. Marker is in Shell, Wyoming, in Big Horn County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 14, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in the Shell Falls Interpretive Site in Bighorn National Forest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shell WY 82441, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lifeblood of the West (here, next to this marker); Oasis in the Desert (here, next to this marker); Hummingbirds (here, next to this marker); A 4,000 Mile Journey (a few steps from this marker); Forming Waterfalls (a few steps from this marker); Shaping a Canyon (a few steps from this marker); Moving Mountains (within shouting distance of this marker); Wringing Out a Livelihood (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shell.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 325 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.