East Rock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Rock |
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East Rock
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 366 ft (112 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | New Haven, Hamden |
| Parent range | Metacomet Ridge |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 200 Ma |
| Mountain type | Fault-block; igneous |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Auto road |
East Rock is a tall, rocky ridge in south-central Connecticut, United States. It stands about 366 feet (112 meters) high. This ridge is about 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) long. It is mostly found in the East Rock neighborhood of New Haven.
East Rock is a very noticeable part of the landscape. It has cliffs that rise 300 feet (91 meters) above the city. It is part of the Metacomet Ridge. This long, narrow ridge stretches from Long Island Sound up through Massachusetts to the Vermont border. East Rock is the main feature of East Rock Park. This park is owned by the city of New Haven. It sits along the border between New Haven and Hamden.
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Exploring East Rock's Landscape
East Rock is located in New Haven and Hamden, Connecticut. It is about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) long. At its widest, it is about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) across. Even though it's not huge, the steep slopes make the actual park area feel much bigger.
Besides the highest point, East Rock has three other peaks:
- Whitney Peak: This is a sharp, 300-foot (91 m) tall peak on the north side.
- Indian Head: This peak is 310 feet (94 m) tall. It is just south of the highest point.
- Snake Rock: This is the 205-foot (62 m) southern end of the ridge.
Whitney Peak and Lake Whitney are named after Eli Whitney. He invented the cotton gin and lived in New Haven. The Eli Whitney Museum is at the base of the dam. It has hands-on exhibits about Eli Whitney.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument
On top of East Rock, you can see the 112-foot (34 m) tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument. This monument is visible from far away. It honors New Haven residents who died in wars. These wars include the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War.
East Rock Park and Surroundings
East Rock is completely inside East Rock Park. The park covers 425 acres (172 hectares). The city of New Haven manages the park. There's a road that goes to the top of the ridge. It's open during certain seasons. The park also has many trails, an environmental center, and a rose garden.
At the bottom of the ridge, there are sports fields and courts. The ridge is surrounded by the city of New Haven. The nearby East Rock neighborhood is named after the ridge. It is known for its beautiful old homes. U.S. Route 5 is on the east side of East Rock. Interstate 91 passes below Snake Rock to the south.
The Metacomet Ridge continues west from East Rock to West Rock Ridge. It also extends east to Saltonstall Mountain and Peter's Rock. The west side of East Rock drains into the Mill River. This river flows into New Haven Harbor and then into Long Island Sound. The east side drains into the Quinnipiac River. This river also flows into New Haven Harbor and Long Island Sound. Both rivers are at the base of the mountain.
How East Rock Was Formed
East Rock is a type of fault-block ridge. It formed about 200 million years ago. This happened during the Triassic and Jurassic periods. It is made of a rock called trap rock. This specific type is called diabase. Diabase is a dark rock. However, the iron in it turns rusty brown when it touches air. This gives the cliffs a reddish look.
Diabase often breaks into columns with many sides. This creates a unique "postpile" look. You can see huge slopes of broken diabase rock below the cliffs. These cliffs formed when hot, melted rock (lava) pushed up through cracks in the Earth. This created large sheets of rock called sills. This happened as North America slowly pulled away from Eurasia and Africa. Over 200 million years, softer rock layers wore away faster than the hard diabase. This left the tilted edges of the diabase exposed. That's how we see the distinct ridge and dramatic cliffs today.
East Rock's Natural World
East Rock has special mini-climates not common in New England.
- Dry, hot upper ridges: These areas have oak savannas. They are often covered with chestnut oak trees. You can also find different grasses and ferns. Eastern red cedar trees grow on the bare cliff edges.
- Cooler north-facing slopes: These areas have many eastern hemlock trees. They are mixed with oak-hickory forest trees.
- Narrow ravines: These are filled with hemlock trees. They block sunlight, making the area damp and cool. This allows cooler climate plants to grow.
- Talus slopes: These slopes are rich in nutrients. They support many plants that like calcium. These plants are rare in eastern Connecticut.
East Rock is also an important path for raptor (birds of prey) during their migration seasons.
Fun Things to Do at East Rock
East Rock is a popular place for outdoor fun. From the clifftops, you can see all of New Haven. You can also see Long Island Sound and Long Island.
East Rock Park is open all year for hikers and walkers. The road to the top is open from April 1 to November 1 (8 a.m. to sunset). From November 1 to March 31, it's open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), if the weather is good.
You can do many activities in the park:
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Picnicking
- Bicycling (on roads and special mountain bike trails)
- Boating (on the Mill River)
- Bird watching
- Dog walking
Some activities are not allowed, like Rock climbing, swimming, and having alcoholic beverages.
At the bottom of the mountain, there are fields for football, baseball, and soccer. There are also tennis courts, basketball courts, and playgrounds. The Trowbridge Environmental Center is open on Thursdays and Fridays (10:00 am to 5:00 pm). It's also open at least one Saturday a month for public programs. It has displays about East Rock's geology and nature. The Pardee Rose Garden and Greenhouse has beautiful roses and other flowers. It's a popular spot for wedding photos.
The park's natural design helped it get listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Images for kids
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East Rock
