My Local Survivor

I live a few miles from Mt. Wachusett in Princeton, Massachusetts, the highest point in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River. It is a monadnock, a rock that resisted erosion better than the surrounding land and stands alone above the lower hills. I think it is appropriate that this isolated peak that endured hundreds of millions of years in this manner is also called a “survivor“ mountain.

This “survivor” can be seen rising above the lower lands from numerous settings in the surrounding towns, and is a celebrated landmark in the region. Here, it rises above the farmland in Sterling, Massachusetts.


Earlier this spring, a roadside walk near the mountain’s base revealed both its rock structure and a quintessential spring woodland vista. Boulders tumble along the hilly roadside, and a hardwood forest grows among the rocks.

Caves and shelters are covered by maple alumroot, a member of the coral bell family, common in New England.

The alumroot looks surprisingly like a carpet of maple leaves.

Monadnocks contain singular large upstanding rocks called “glacial erratics”, which were likely deposited during the last ice age over 400 million years ago.

The top third of this glacial erratic displays reddish colored rock tripe, an edible lichen known as “famine food” . It was consumed by early European explorers, indigenous peoples, and George Washington’s starving troops during the winter at Valley Forge. It is very bitter and must be boiled before eating.

Hardwood tree roots share space around and on top of large boulders. Tree trunks sometimes grow in the rock space itself. In contrast, a common red maple sapling is just beginning to grow in this crowded area.

This “cave” is formed by metamorphic rocks ( rocks that have been transformed by heat, pressure and chemical reactions deep within the Earth) . Natural rock shelters such as these are believed to have been used by the Nipmuc people, who made their home here before European colonization. In fact Wachusett means mountain place in the Nipmuc/Algonquin language. These caves were likely used for protection from the elements, or for the storage of food.

Trees growing out of rocks and bending toward the light are demonstrating phototropism, the manner in which plants naturally grow towards light sources.

Celebrate this survivor, but beware when driving!

22 thoughts on “My Local Survivor”

  1. Thank you for this lovely trip, Julie! I need to learn more about “Rock tripe, an edible lichen known as “famine food” (which) was consumed by early European explorers, indigenous peoples, and George Washington’s starving troops during the winter at Valley Forge. It is very bitter and must be boiled before eating.” Who knows what consequences/ripples our current war in the Middle East will bring into our lives — partly as a result of the longtime slowdown of vital materials through the Strait Of Hormuz. Some of us may find ourselves scavenging for rock tripe (and wood to boil it with) this winter) in order to make ends meet…

    Reply

    1. Oooh that tripe must be pretty bad! There are lots of wild blueberries on the mountain, and native people dried them and ate them in the winter. Tastier than tripe-maybe I’ll have to start looking for them soon!
      Wishing you a good week,
      Julie

      Reply

  4. A lovely place to get lost in the forest Julie. I also had not heard the term rock tripe, but it makes sense. Early explorers had to find sustenance especially as it got closer to winter. Have a great Sunday. Allan

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  8. I so very much enjoyed learning about and seeing the monadnock rock and surroundings, Julie. What a gorgeous place to be and your photos are truly lovely.

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    1. Hi Jet,
      Thanks for you kind words. Mt. Wachusett is like an old friend to the people living in this area, and it is the best of both worlds, as it features a reasonably priced ski area that doesn’t interfere with the State Park and the adjacent Audubon. Something for everyone.

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