Friday, April 22, 2022

Hunger and the Elephant


A new year. A new season. And further experiments into the experience of aging! ;) So I rolled on down through the Tyringham Valley, passing Gorilla Rock and Rabbit Rock.

Today's adventure brought me to the southern Berkshires, joining the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers in Monterey. The hike took us into a section of the Beartown State Forest, visiting the Mount Hunger Cemetery, and eventually climbing the steep Mt. Hunger itself.

Elephant Rock - early 1900s postcard

The 'geologic portion' of the trip was a short drive to local landmark Elephant Rock. Its been years since I last visited this magnificent boulder and I wished to determine if it be marble or not. The old favorite acid test did react positively but indications (at least at this early point in time) are it may be what it was thought originally: sandstone. BUT, a sandstone with a small calcium carbonate mix.

The final stop was to the shores of Lake Garfield to ponder furture hiking and kayaking in the area.