The Great Lakes were once the valleys of a massive river system that drained into the Atlantic Ocean. Repeated periods of glaciations gouged out the valley, creating large basins that soon filled with the melted ice water of the receding ice.
The Bluffs were formed by a glacial drumlin, or pile of ground up mud, sand, and stones pushed along by the glacier as it scoured the land. Over time, Lake Ontario grew and began eroding away at the northern end of the drumlin, exposing the cliffs. Wind, rain, and snow melt-water continue to eat away at the cliffs, reshaping the Bluffs and providing us with a dynamic landscape that can be vastly different from year to year.
Drumlins are common for Western and Central NY, but one that is sliced in half like this is pretty rare. There are only three large examples of this in the region, with the Chimney Bluffs being both the largest and the most accessible. Other bluffs along Lake Ontario can be found just to the east near Port Bay and then at Fair Haven Beach State Park.
13 comments:
I am glad that you didn't let the rain deter you from what looks like a very enjoyable walk - especially if you were able to avoid the black flies.
...I haven't been there in a number of years, perhaps the boardwalk is new. I friend took me out in his boat, the view of the bluffs was spectacular. https://backroadstraveller.blogspot.com/2014/08/chimney-bluffs-state-park.html
I had to look it up to see where you were across from. Prince Edward County near Kingston. I have only been to that county once but was born in KIngston, and Sue has extended family living there.
How brave of you to get out in the rain but it looks like even the rain added to the adventure. Wise choice, you turning back. Sometimes we make good choices and don't even realize it at the time. No black flies! Have a great week ahead.
Glad you got to walk in the rain, and avoided the pests!
Great views! True hikers — you don’t let a bit of rain keep you indoors.
I haven't experienced black flies in decades, which is a good thing. Now I just have to worry about bird mites and mosquitoes. That looks like a wonderful hike even with the rain. That kept things cool.
Looks lovely even in the rain.
Cathy
What a beautiful place! And I enjoyed learning its history.
Beautiful pictures. We got warnings about flies in Northern Iceland and came prepared, but fortunately no insects biting. When I first became interested in Greenland two years ago, the only way to get there (that I could see) was via Copenhagen as well as excursion ships, which are very pricy. Looks like more flights opening up and more access.
Looks like a soggy walk, but quite an impressive sight and why anyone would even try to venture out would be a mystery to me. Too bad about the soggy walk and glad you avoided black flies, something to be very thankful for having missed!
What a fascinating place. Glad you were able to enjoy it despite the weather. Well done for avoiding the flies.
It sure is a beautiful place. How brave to get out in the rain AND flies. We hiked in the mts of NC one time and got into some of those flies and they drive you crazy!
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