Whitetop Bald - A Geological Mystery? EarthCache
Whitetop Bald - A Geological Mystery?
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Take US 58 from Damascus to the Whitetop Post office, turn
left on VA 600, head north for 1.5 miles, and turn left on USFS-89.
Follow USFS-89 for about three miles to the parking area and the
trailhead. The coordinates will take you to the middle of the bald.
There you will find a small boulder.
The Bald - Summer style, Note the Rhyolite
Boulders!
Many theories, stories and legends exist concerning the
phenomenon of the bald. Some scientists suggest that prehistoric
animals, such as mastodons and mammoths, over grazed these areas.
When these animals became extinct, bison, elk and deer took over
the job of keeping the bald treeless. One legend says the bald came
about when Devil walked in the mountains. Each of his footsteps
caused the growth to be stunted. Another possibility is that
lightning striking the high mountain peak caused fires that have
periodically burned off the drier tops of the mountains. Once
Whitetop Mountain was a volcano. Some theorize that maybe the super
heated rock and subsequent poor soil has kept trees and other
normally found plants from getting a foothold? Whitetop's
Bald landscape is only slightly broken by an occasional shrub
and/or rock. The truth is, we really don’t know what causes
balds especially grassy balds. But........ most agree the that
geology plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of
a mountain bald.
Some trace the origin of balds to the tundra that covered
the high elevations of the Blue Ridge during glacial periods.There
is little proof that glaciers were this far south, but there is a
lot proof that there was extensive ice and maybe some minor
glaciation. Both could contribute to the bald condition.
For the record, "bald" can be defined as "absent the usual
covering."
The volcanic nature of the Whitetop Mountain could have lent
itself to what geological conditions may have created the
environment for this bald. The theory is that with the extreme heat
of a volcano, soil nutrients were literally cooked out of the rock
and even millions of years later the soil has not built up to a
fertile condition. Some local geologists subscribe to this theory
others disagree.
The only problem is that other non-volcanic mountains,
which have an underlying base of sandstone or limestone or other
rock, present balds of their own! Almost all agree that local
geology contributes to mountain balds, but as to exactly what
geological phenomena contributes remains a source of
debate.
One last thought. Don't forget the many "bald" mountains in
the US. Now to be truthful, those "bald" mountains don't fit into
our classification of the Whitetop Bald and are far
different. Most "bald" mountains are truly "bald" right down to the
rock. These magnificent edifices to nature are usually granite or
sandstone that has undergone metamorphosis to become known as
quartzite. There are too many "bald' mountains to mention, but the
two nearby Stone Mountains in North Carolina and Georgia are
wonderful examples. Remember, these mountains have little to no
vegetation growing on them. They are "bald" mountains, not mountain
balds. Quite a difference, but perhaps the difference is only dirt
deep!
Winter Time on the Bald
Note: At the given coordinates, you will find a
single large rock! Please email answers to the following questions:
1. What are the colors to be found on/in the rock, 2.
What type of rock is this boulder? (hint, it is mentioned above and
below). 3.What is the elevation at this point? 4. Can
you identify any nearby landmark such as another mountain peak or
outcrop? 5 Using the above descriptions, Also, in order for
you to claim a find you must post a photo of the rock that is in
the middle of the Bald.(see the given coordinates). While we would
love to see you in the photo, it is not necessary.
There are other traditional geocaches and Earthcaches on
Whitetop. As you are facing the "rock" there is the wonderful
Buzzard's Rock to your left and up higher on the right, you will
find the Lover's Leap. Both are nice examples of rhyolite outcrops
which are igneous hence, volcanic rock! There is even a benchmark
for your geocaching pleasure. You are not too far from the
beautiful Grayson Highlands Park with several caches and wonderful
trails. The Mount Rogers Mountain chain represents one of the most
unique geological areas East of the Mississippi. It is the only
chain of extinct volcanoes and offers quite a variety of rocks. The
chain is anchored by the Whitetop Mountain on the West and Mount
Rogers on the East. Take the time to find and enjoy all. Mother
Nature at her best!
P.S. Whitetop is not a misspelling. Locally,
Whitetop is just that, not White Top! Thanks.
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(Decrypt)
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