Monadnocks of the World

Monadnock: an isolated mountain resulting from the erosion of less resistant rock around a volcanic or other rock resistant to erosion. (wikipedia)

Driving the beltway around Atlanta, Georgia I was certainly not thinking about monadnocks or, given

the flat plains around us, even hills, when rounding a bend in the highway a giant rock mountain rose straight up in front of us. A quick Google maps consult revealed that we were looking at Stone Mountain, an 825ft high quartz monzonite monadnock. Who'd a thunk it?!

S.D. and I had come to Georgia to visit relatives not go hiking and so we zoomed on by arriving at our destination twenty minutes later. After catching up on family happenings and enjoying a wonderful dinner I asked our host if they knew anything about Stone Mountain. They did! And even better it was not just a mountain but a park with hiking trails. We had some free time in the morning and they asked if we would like to climb it? We certainly would!!

The following morning was brilliant, sunny, clear and 70 degrees. After another great meal we headed off to Stone Mountain and once again found ourselves staring at this giant rock those rose up, almost straight up, out of the surrounding plain. The 1. 3 mile hike to the summit made for a nice little workout/scramble over the mostly granite trail. A cable car scales the steeper east side of the mountain and our hosts elected to ride that to the top. When we arrived, hot and sweaty, they were waiting, calm, refreshed and enjoying the view.

To the west they pointed out Atlanta. Due north, maybe 50 miles away, were the foothills of the Appalachians and Springer Mountain the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The view was impressive.

Back at the base our hosts toured us around the park that encircled the rock. It was great to see how well cared for and used the park was. Additionally the Visitor Center that had a great exhibit on the geology of the area and it was there we learned more about monadnocks. I had always know of, and climbed, Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire but did not know that it was the source for the name of an entire geological feature. Monadnock was originally a Native American term for an isolated hill or a lone mountain that stands above the surrounding area, and was applied by English settlers in the early 17th century to the highest, lone hill in Southern New Hampshire. Geologists took the name and applied to all other similar formations. Formations like Uluru, formerly know as Ayers Rock, Koppie in Tanzania and Stone Mountain, Georgia.

There's something about a giant rock rising out of earth that draws your attention and respect and certainly adds a nice twist to our vacation.