Formation
The massive stone bridge arch (the largest marble cave entrance in the east) dominates this fascinating display of Adirondack geology. This bridge was originally named Ponte de Dios (Bridge of God) by explorers and later described in Morse's Geography of 1790.
In the early 1970's, Natural Stone Bridge and Caves owner and president Ed Beckler consulted with experts to learn the geology that created the caves is rare to this part of the continent. Separate but parallel hydrologic systems have resulted in the existence of two types of rock. Marble limestone rock and older volcanic material known as pink granite gneiss exist side by side.
Cave Entrance
Unlike the slow forming limestone caverns, these marble caves were formed during the last ice age by an unusual East-West trending fault which exposed a layer of ancient marble to raging acidic floodwaters from melting glaciers. Recent analysis by the National Speleological Society determined that the resulting Stone Bridge appears to be the largest natural marble cave entrance in the East
Violent waters return to the caves in the form of floods each spring. So the cave systems constantly evolve along with varying water levels.
Looking Out
Geologic Features
There are several significant geologic features in this park that have all been formed by the glacial movement and eroision
- Natural Stone Bridge - Cavers have been mapping the caves (2003-2008) and have determined the Stone Bridge is the largest cave entrance in the East. It is one of two main cave systems located at Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park
- Noisy Cave - Loud! It is easy to see where the name comes from. At the start of the second main cave system, the water disappears at your feet and continues on to the Whirlpool, the Lost Pool Cave, under the Potholes and on to Echo and Garnet Cave
- Indian Maidens Kettle - One of the largest potholes in NY at over 20 feet across, it was formed by swirling waters from the ancient raging river
- Oyster Shell - This large 20’ high formation is positioned right above the exit for the water that flowed under the Stone Bridge. The variety of shapes carved into the marble is endless.
- Sawmill Waterfall - The waterfalls of Trout Brook provided the water wheel power for early Dutch pioneers to cut lumber and grind grain (1750—1910). The very last old beam and some stonework at your feet are all that remain
- Lost Pool Cave - Sometimes water pours down at the left end, and at other times a mirrored surface looks like you could walk right onto it, but don’t, the water is 30’ deep
Potholes
Activities
1. Go to the Natural Stone Bridge and estimate the height and width of the cave entrance. Send me an e-mail with this information as well as your thoughts on how the stone bridge piece was formed and what may have caused it
2. Go to the potholes area and find the two potholes together on the far side (near the stairs down) and measure how deep the hole is with a stick. Send this in your e-mail.
3. Go to the noisy cave and send me a message telling me what the noise is.
4. Look for forms of glacial erosion at any of the features listed above and post in your log the coordinates of the feature as well as a description of the erosion