Sugarloaf - The Maryland Monadnock
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A monadnock is an isolated hill, knob, ridge or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain. Many of us have been here before without knowing it is a unique geologic feature.
Sugarloaf Mountain is the only Monadnock in Maryland. Geologically, Sugarloaf is a monadnock that remains after the erosion of its surrounding land. At Sugarloaf, that process took approximately 14 million years. At an elevation of 1,282 feet, Sugarloaf stands more than 800 feet above the farmland below. The rugged cliffs on the summit are composed primarily of quartzite, the predominant type of rock on the mountain.
Monadnock is an originally Native American term for an isolated hill or a lone mountain that has risen above the surrounding area, typically by surviving erosion. The name was taken from Mount Monadnock in southwestern New Hampshire (USA), near Jaffrey, NH. The name is thought to derive from the Abenaki language, from either menonadenak ("smooth mountain") or menadena ("isolated mountain").
Sugarloaf came by its name because its shape reminded early hunters and pioneers of the sugar loaves common in those days. A Swiss explorer, in 1701, sketched the earliest known map of the mountain. An account written five years later described a plain atop the mountain and the delicious chestnuts grown by the trees on its flanks. In 1755, during the French and Indian War, General Braddock marched his men past the mountain. During the Civil War, Northern and Southern forces alternated in posting lookouts at the summit, and a log cabin still standing at the foot of the mountain served as a hospital. (From "Sugarloaf Mountain" published by Stronghold Inc.)
“Sugar Loaf Mountain” was designated as a Registered National Landmark in 1969 by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, because it "possesses exceptional value in illustrating the natural history of the United States." (From plaque at the base of the mountain)
Sugarloaf Mountain is unusual for another reason; it is privately owned. The mountain is owned and managed by Stronghold, Inc. through a trust fund set up by Gordon Strong in 1947. No fee is charged for visiting the mountain or hiking the trails.
There is a road that goes to within 400 vertical feet of the top of the mountain and provides easy access to several overlooks, so the mountain is accessible to those without the endurance to hike up. There is no charge for use of the road or parking, unlike Whiteface Mountain in New York state or Vermont's Equinox Mountain.
The mountain is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to one hour before sunset. Visitors must be off the property by sunset. All natural features are protected. Do not pick plants, disturb wildlife, or move rocks. Dogs must be on leash at all times. Fires and overnight camping are strictly prohibited. Alcohol is not permitted. Carry a cell phone if possible and pick up a map at one of the parking lots.
Be aware this is natural habitat for the timber rattlesnake and copperhead. LOOK BUT DO NOT TOUCH!
Geology Background
Quartzite
Quartzite (from German Quarzit) is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression. Pure quartzite is usually white to gray, though quartzites often occur in various shades of pink and red due to varying amounts of iron oxide (Fe2O3). Other colors, such as yellow and orange, are due to other mineral impurities.
When sandstone is metamorphosized to quartzite, the individual quartz grains recrystallize along with the former cementing material to form an interlocking mosaic of quartz crystals. Most or all of the original texture and sedimentary structures of the sandstone are erased by the metamorphism. The grainy, sandpaper-like surface becomes glassy in appearance. Minor amounts of former cementing materials, iron oxide, silica, carbonate and clay, often migrate during recrystallization and metamorphosis. This causes streaks and lenses to form within the quartzite.
(From Wikipedia article “Quartzite”)
To claim this cache: find the answers to the questions below and email the answers to me. We encourage you to post a traditional photo of yourself and your GPS at the site, but this is not required.
1. Typically the view from the top of a Monadnock is spectacular, often you can see in nearly every direction, a full 360 degrees. Describe the views from the cache coordinates in your own words. Can you see in all directions? If not, why not?
2. At the cache coordinates (ground zero or gz), you will find a circular brass disk that was placed in the 1950's as a part of a government survey to draw a more accurate map of the entire country. Standing at this spot and looking out at the view, you will see a tall man-made landmark which was another point in this survey. Describe the man-made landmark.
3. Even very hard rocks like quartzite are affected by wear and weathering. What color is the rock with the disk? Find a nearby vertical surface. How does its appearance differ, or is it the same?
4. A few feet to the right of ground zero as you stand facing the man-made landmark, you will find a rock with an older brass marker disk. A chunk of the upper surface of this rock broke away recently revealing the interior of the rock. Describe the differences between the interior's appearance (color, texture, etc.) and outer surfaces of the rock with a disk question 3.
5. As you stand at ground zero (by the first disk) looking out at the view, the highest point of the peak is to your left, away from the edge but near where climbers using ropes can often be found. Climb to where you can see the top of the highest rock. You will know you have found it if you see an ancient appearing rock carving, perhaps by the first person to climb the mountain. How does the view from here compare with that from ground zero? (Fun bonus, describe the carving and its possible relationship to geocaching.)
The circular brass disks on Sugarloaf Mountain are US Coast and Geodedic Survey markers, a type of benchmark. You can find out about Benchmarks on this site and log them as Benchmark finds. They will not count toward your geocache count, but it's exciting because many have never been logged and you could easily be the first.
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