About 100,000 years ago glaciers developed in New Hampshire
which began to change the landscape. The climate was cooler then,
and the winter snow on some high mountains did not melt during the
cooler summers. As the snow accumulated on the mountains, pressure
caused the bottom layers of the snowpack to solidify into ice.
Gravity caused the ice to move downhill, possibly a few inches a
day, picking up loose gravel and rocks along the way. This
rock-filled glacier acted like a giant piece of sandpaper and over
80 thousand years scoured the valleys.
These valleys developed into what we now call cirques. A cirque
is a deep, semi-circular basin eroded out of a mountain by an
alpine glacier similar in shape to an amphitheater. In the Northern
Presidential Range The Great Gulf, Jefferson Ravine, Madison Gulf,
Bumpus Basin, Ravine of the Castles and King Ravine are all
cirques.
King
Ravine from Route 2 looking south at the headwall. Durand Ridge is
on the left, Nowell Ridge on the right. Note the amphitheater shape
of the cirque valley.
Not all valleys in the White Mountains developed cirques. About
60,000 years ago New Hampshire was covered with a thick ice sheet,
in fact, it is estimated that 6288' Mount Washington was covered in
an additional 3600' of ice! This new ice sheet covered the existing
cirque glaciers increasing the scouring action. This ice sheet only
lasted about 40,000 years and did not have enough time to scour
additional cirques but did contribute to the erosion of deep
V-shaped valleys like Snyder Glen to the east of Durand Ridge. A
V-shaped valley is a narrow valley with steeply sloped sides that
appear similar to the letter "V" from a cross-section. These
valleys are formed by strong streams, which over time have cut down
into the rock.
View of
Snyder Glen looking north down the valley. Durand Ridge is to the
left.
This scouring action on both sides of Durand Ridge created a
very narrow knife-edged ridge line at 4000'. Once you hit tree line
at 3 miles both valleys become evident. At the coords you can look
down 800' into King Ravine and across to Nowell Ridge; a
spectacular sight.
View
looking north down Durand Ridge from headwall of Kings Ravine.
Snyder Glen is to the east (right).
To Log The
Find
You must email me the answers to the following
questions.
1) At the coords what does the top sign say?
2) Approximately how wide is the top of the ridge at this
spot?
3) Explain the difference between the west and east sides of the
ridge
Bonus; What is that building across King Ravine on Nowell Ridge?
You may post your find and email me the answers. If there is an
issue with your answers I will contact you.
This is a strenuous hike with 3100' elevation gain over
rough terrain. Be sure to bring a pack with plenty of water, food,
extra clothing (it can get cold up there!), and rain gear. Since
this cache is above treeline turn back if the weather is bad
– conditions will not get better as you ascend! Note that the
trails into and out of King Ravine are VERY steep. If you wish to
loop into King Ravine I suggest you do the ravine first and go UP
the steep trails to the ridge.