The Balanced Rock is an approximately 15 foot high Bolder perched
in the most precarious of positions ontop of a 25 foot high (from
the valley below) outcropping. Beyond placing rocks such as these,
the Wisconsin Episode formed much of the distinct areas of New
England we enjoy today.
From areas such as Purgatory Chasm, which are believed to be
formed from glacial run-off (melting), to the formation of the
islands of Martha's Vineyard, Block Island and Cape Cod. The "Rock
House" itself is a 30 foot high rock enclosure, that has been
enjoyed by locals since the first clearing of the land in the
mid-17th century. During the early part of the 20th century locals
took the "copper-line" trolley between West Brookfield and Ware
Mass. and the Rock House Reservation was a favorite destination for
picnicing and exploring. Its proximity to two well worn Native
American footpaths suggest this area was also used as a meeting
place and camp for Native Americans.
The "Rock House" and the "Balanced Rock" you will be discovering
today were formed during the last glacial period to cover New
England, The "Wisconsin Glacial Episode". This Glaciation is marked
by three distinct periods or maxima, sometimes referred to
(mistakenly) as Ice ages. Each "maxima" is seperated by a warm
period inbetween (such as the one we are living in now). The Tioga
Maxima was the last of these periods to mark the Wisconsin
Glaciaction, it began over 30,000 years ago and ended about 10,000
years ago. At the time of its maximum extent the areas of New
England, the Upper Midwest, Canada and parts of Montana and
Washington State were mostly covered in ice. Its is also during
this period of the Tioga that the Berring Land bridge enabled
mammals and humans from Siberia to cross onto North America. With
each maximum extent of the glaciation, there is a retreat. It is
during these constant extensions and retreats that the Rock House
and the Balance rock were formed and placed respectively. To get
credit for this Earth Cache you must visit the Museum located just
down the trail from the "Balanced Rock". Inside you will find more
details on exactly how this giant "Balanced" Rock was placed and
how the Rock House was formed. Be sure to check out all the
lessons, including wild animal tracks, and plant and tree
identification for the area. As the Glacier moved, friction was
created at the bottom where bedrock was present causing the glacier
to melt. The water provided lubrication for the glacier to continue
its movement, but also froze inside the joints and crevaces of the
bedrock itself. As the glacier then continued its extension the
rock below that was now frozen to the glacier itself was
"incorportated" within the glacier, and deposited elsewhere during
the melting or "retreat" of the glacier.
To receive credit for this earth cache you must email me the
answers for two of the following questions (found inside the
museum), AND (please!) POST a picture of yourself at the Balanced
Rock or Rock House in your log.(new earthcache guidelines have
removed the picture obligations on this cache but we would still
love to see them on the cachepage- and if your not posting a
picture make sure your answers are good! :P)
Name the term used to describe the
process of moving the rocks making up the "Rock House" and the
"Balanced Rock".
What are these types of rocks commonly referred to by geologists?
(rock that is picked up and moved to another location)
Name the type of Granite that the "Rock House" is made of
Finally the granite making up the "Rock House" has been squeezed,
reheated, and folded after its initial formation. What is the term
used to describe rock with such attributes?
The Museum could use some new glass covering the informative
displays, but all the questions asked here are very readable. We
hope you enjoy the Reservation and the Geology lesson.
Please respect the hard work the Trustees of Reservations and
their employees do to bring this reservation to you! We always
C.I.T.O. and so should you! Just past the "Balanced Rock" to the
north you will find the Butterfly Garden, which still has a few
warm days left for viewing. Also check everytrail.com keyword
"barefeat" for a gpx file of all the trails here.
Congrats to Scout98 on the FTF!!
You Should first post a note, and after approval from the
cache owner, you may take your "find". Thanks!