The geologic oddities that I call "caves" probably wouldn't do much for a serious spelunker. On the Big Level, we only have caves of the "tectonic" variety. That's to say, we have shallow, hollow areas between boulders: tunnels, crevasses, recesses in the rock, and none of them very large.Boulders tend to be found near the tops of hills, except that there aren't really "hills" around here. The things that look like hills are the crumbling edges of a vast plateau. This plateau is crisscrossed by steep valleys that have been carved by streams and rivers. And, because most roads and settlements are on the low streams, the tops of these valley walls create the illusion of a mountainous countryside. In fact, there are very few mountains around here, only the jagged upper reaches of a rugged plateau nicknamed "The Big Level."
And I don't know why the boulders tend to be near the tops of the valley walls, but they are. And that's also where you find the tectonic caves. Unlike true caverns, which remain 50 degrees year round, a tectonic cave is usually about the same temperature as the outside world. And yet, a tectonic cave does offer refuge for human and beast, deep shade, and shelter from the elements.
These photos show several of the five tectonic caves that I've explored at Watson Run Rocks, near PA66 at Pigeon. (I returned there today with a real camera.) The bottom photo is the best. It's a high, sheltered ledge under a stony overhang, a restful perch above the one of the most spectacular rock cities in the Allegheny National Forest.
You can't really tell from the photo, but there's a ten or twelve foot drop just beyond the ledge and a good view of the fourth tier of the five-tier rock city. A great place to lay in wait...but I don't know what for.
Do you have the coordinates so we can visit and possibly create a learning adventure (earthcache)? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I do not have the GPS coordinates, and the last time I was back there, the old forest road that leads to this area was badly overgrown. Going north on PA66 just past the hamlet of Pigeon, you'll descend into a valley and cross a small stream before going up the other side of the valley. This is Watson Branch, and there's a barely detectable forest road that follows it. It's a very sharp right off PA 66. Follow the forest road just a few hundred yards then cross the stream. You'll see the rock city on the hillside.
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