Gibraltar Bluff

Gibraltar Bluff is reached by crossing the Wisconsin River at Prairie du Sac and proceeding along the highway or by leaving the train at the village of Okee and walking a little more than a mile west. Not only does the climb to the top of this imposing eminence give the refreshment and delight bred of an extensive view but the active exercise necessary for the ascent is guaranteed to produce a keen appetite. When the day is fair the climber is rewarded, when he reaches the crest, by a charming outlook which includes a wide expanse of forest, farm and fell, with Lake Wisconsin half-hidden in the distance. The bluff is a well known haunt of the pasque flower or Badger.

The geologists have recently changed the names of some of the formations which are exposed one above the other. The names as given in the "Geology of Wisconsin," Vol. II, 1873-1877, and the more recent ones are as follows:

Old names—

  1. Soil and drift.
  2. Lower Trenton limestone.
  3. St. Peter sandstone.
  4. Lower Magnesian limestone.
  5. Madison sandstone.
  6. Mendota limestone.
  7. Potsdam sandstone.

New names—

  1. Soil and drift.
  2. Black River dolomite.
  3. St. Peter sandstone.
  4. Lower Magnesian dolomite.
  5. Jordan sandstone.
  6. St. Lawrence dolomite.
  7. Mazomanie sandstone.