Granite Dells facts for kids
The Granite Dells is a unique natural area located north of Prescott, Arizona. It's famous for its huge granite rocks and boulders. These rocks have been shaped by nature over time, giving them a lumpy, rippled look. Two small lakes, Watson Lake and Willow Lake, were created by people within this amazing rock formation.
What Makes the Granite Dells Special?
The Granite Dells are made of very old granite rock. This rock has been exposed to the weather for millions of years. Wind, water, and ice have slowly worn away parts of the rock. This process is called weathering. It creates the rounded boulders and other cool shapes you see there. This special way of shaping rocks is known as spheroidal weathering. It makes the Dells look like giant, smooth, stacked stones.
Exploring the Trails
You can explore the Granite Dells on fun paths called "rail trails." The Peavine National Recreation Trail follows an old railroad track. This part of the railway was called the "Peavine" because its curves looked like a pea vine. It connects to the Iron King Trail, which also uses an old railroad route. Both trails are great for walking, running, or biking. They let you see the Dells up close.
How the Granite Dells Formed
The granite rocks in the Dells are incredibly old. Scientists believe they are about 1.4 billion years old! These rocks first formed deep underground. Over a very, very long time, the land above them wore away. This brought the granite closer to the surface. Then, weathering started to break the granite along its natural cracks. This slowly rounded the rocks into the shapes we see today.
