Stonehenge Lafayette?

[Waumbek]

A friend was at Greenleaf hut last week. He reported seeing the most wonderful "cairn garden" on the flat rocks where the OBP and Greenleaf Trails come in behind the hut. Arches, whimsical structures, quite amazing, he reported, some so intricate that they're likely to be blown over in a stiff wind. This is probably the handiwork of the returning croo. I just lost the one opportunity I had to run up and see it this week, and I'll be traveling after that. Has anyone else seen it? Does anyone have pics?

 

[HikerBob]

Ask - and ye shall receive

Arch
Stonehenge

There were lot's more, many quite delicately balanced. I should have taken more pictures

Bob

 

[Waumbek]

Fabulous. Thanks so much, Bob. I knew I could count on a VFTT'er! I think it was the arch that impressed my friend so much.

 

[HikerBob]

You're welcome.

It is quite an amazing collection.

Bob

 

[David Metsky]

Take a look at the art books by Andy Goldsworthy, especially "Stone". He has been making creative structures from stone, wood, water, mud, you name it. He's inspired many hikers that I know to create structures like these all over the place. There's also a great documentary about him called "Rivers and Tides".

I've tried my hand at making arches, they're pretty tough but if you have patience and the right rock, anyone can build one. It's fun, give it a try.

-dave-

 

[Waumbek]

Thanks, Dave. I'll check out the book. I've been building small cairns for awhile, sometimes as thank you "notes" for hiker friends--they find them in their driveways next morning after I've been there for dinner or whatever--but I think maybe it's time to graduate to trying arches. It's an ancient art.

 

[--M.]

If you want to take home a trunkful after your next hike, stop anywhere along the Gale River on Rt. 18 in Franconia. Lots of easy access to the river and nice size stones.

Not to bust to seriously on you, but isn't this a violation of not only LNT, but also the law relative to either state or federal parkland? Again, it's close to a victimless act, but how many takings before there's an impact?

Will this initiate yet another thread about LNT?

--He who is NOT without sin...


.

 

[Mr. X]

LNT? Just kidding...

 

[Waumbek]

Not to bust to seriously on you, but isn't this a violation of not only LNT, but also the law relative to either state or federal parkland? Again, it's close to a victimless act, but how many takings before there's an impact? Will this initiate yet another thread about LNT?--He who is NOT without sin....

Well, the cairns I've built have been on private land (mine and friends') and the river section I'm talking about is neither on state or federal parkland but in the town of Franconia. Yes, half the river belongs to state. Yes, if there's a stampede to unload all the rocks from the river, it would have an impact over a long time so I stand corrected and revoke the suggestion. I shall remove the offending portion of text above.

 

[Gris]

How cute -a little Stonehenge!!!

Look, look. Look, this is what I was asked to build. Eighteen inches. Right here, it specifies eighteen inches. I was given this napkin, I mean...

Forget this! F- - - the napkin!!!

 

[poison ivy]

For those interested in seeing something similar elsewhere... there is another neat collection of cairns, including arches on White Rocks Mountain in Vermont (on the AT near the spur trail to the viewpoint.)

- Ivy

 

[RGF1]

Not to bust to seriously on you, but isn't this a violation of not only LNT, but also the law relative to either state or federal parkland? Again, it's close to a victimless act, but how many takings before there's an impact?

Will this initiate yet another thread about LNT?

--He who is NOT without sin...


.

Rock Collecting is a legit activity on our national forests along with mushrooming and even collecting some plants . Few people are going to haul off a whole trunk or pick up truck load or pick up load of rocks , if a any at all unless they want to break the suspension and springs on thier vehical . I see people picking up rocks all the time in rivers . Panning for gold is also a legit activity. It would take tremedous amount of people to remove enough rocks to cause any impact at all. In fact the river itself moves them .
Regardless the rock arches and little stonehenges are cool though it does take time to make them.
Is there any thing in the Whites Hiker Bob does not have a photo of?

 

[ripple]

There is a real american stonehenge in Salem NH. Pretty neat to check out if anytime you are by that way.

http://www.stonehengeusa.com/

 

[sierra]

rocks

When I lived in San Fransisco, down by the Palace of fine arts, there was this dude who made rock formations such as this. He was no doubt very good at it and I enjoyed going down there to watch his creations.
AS far as LNT, ahh forget it, its only monday.

 

[dms]

Andy Goldsworthy has pioneered this type of art for many years, beautiful natural art. check out http://eapomona.edu/goldsworthygallery.html for some examples.

 

[Artex]

Another one?

I saw another interesting, seemingly man-made rock garden of sorts right after one of the major stream crossings on the Lincoln Brook Trail on the way to Owl's Head a few weeks ago. It's located on the south side of the trail. Nothing as extravagant as the ones in Bob's pics, but interesting nonetheless. I regret not taking a picture of it.

 

[David Metsky]

Andy Goldsworthy has pioneered this type of art for many years, beautiful natural art. check out http://eapomona.edu/goldsworthygallery.html for some examples.

Try http://ea.pomona.edu/goldsworthygallery.html

Very nice collection of his work.

-dave-

 

[dms]

Thanks Dave!!

 

[Raymond]

There's a colony of tiny cairns on some boulders at a stream crossing along the Marston Trail, too.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Rocks Rock!

Probably the mother of all 'Rock Art' constructions is in the Catskills. It's called Dibble's Quarry, and it's along the Pecoy Notch trail up to Sugarloaf and Twin. I was there last weekend with my camera, but no memory card! There are huge thrones, tables, steps, pillars, chairs, a 'dungeon', and more. It's spread out right along both sides of the trail. There's even a nice little spring near by if you get thirsty. It's a great place to take kids, which is what we did. They had a blast. We're going again this Sunday for another kids hike, if anyone is interested.

Here's a pic from a few years ago:

HikeThe115 and friend on the Throne