HIKES TO TAKE

A very interesting hike, both geologically and for nature hunting in general, is the old fire road which begins just above the old C.C.C. camp and the present Bell Gardens. This trail cuts off to the right, if ascending the summit road, and runs completely around the mountain. Shortly after the fire trail intersects the Bear Den Ski Trail, and on the left, granite with obvious drill holes is seen (Fig. 18). Most of the granite used as curb stones, culvert headers, and islands along the park summit road was obtained from these small quarries. A few miles walk along this trail proves quite rewarding to the adventurer; an old lean-to demonstrates what a bear can do while sharpening his claws.

The Devil’s Den Trail leads down the east side of Burke Mountain from the observation tower at the summit. This trail is rather poorly marked past a certain point, but if you wish to strike off on your own and see some wonderful country, a hike down this trail with a swing to the north will bring you back to the summit road.

The several ski trails on Burke Mountain are all walkable during the summer, but they will not appear as smooth as when covered with snow, and the trip down will take considerably longer on foot than on “boards.” The Bear Den Ski Trail is especially good for geological sightseeing.

NEARBY AREAS TO VISIT

While at Darling State Park a visit to Lake Willoughby is well worth the trip (Figs. 19, 20). A glance at Figure 1 will show you its general location. Once you visit this lake, you might ask “why so beautiful a Lake Willoughby?” There is still some question as to the origin of the lake basin, but a combination of oriented joints and recent glacial movement seems to fit the picture. Deeper and faster weathering along parallel joints together with glacial movement and scour in the same direction as the joints probably dug the elongated trench which, when filled with water, became Lake Willoughby.

It is hoped that this pamphlet has given you the desire to enlarge your knowledge of the science of geology. Geology is all around you wherever you might travel and a knowledge of geology will open new roads even while traveling old ones. Here’s luck to you in your travels; try to see what you look at.

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Figure 18. Geologic map of Darling State Park.

Granite-Metamorphics
Observation Tower
Burke Summit Rd.
Bear Den Trail
Fire Trail
Park Boundary
Contour Line
Dip and Strike: Bed
Dip and Strike: Bed?
Dip and Strike: Joint
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Figure 19. View of Lake Willoughby, seen from its north shore. Mount Pisgah on the left, Mount Hor on the right. The Lake Willoughby trough was produced by preferential erosion of a joint system accentuated by glacial movement and erosion in the same general direction. The lake bottom opposite Mount Pisgah is 210 feet deep.

Figure 20. Northwest View from the Burke Mountain summit road. Picture taken just above the old C.C.C. Camp and the present location of the Bell Gardens. Note Lake Willoughby trough in the distance. Mount Pisgah is on the right and Mount Hor on the left. Lake Willoughby lies in this trough.

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