Cairn Rock Stack at Jones Gap State Park
by Kelly Hazel
Title
Cairn Rock Stack at Jones Gap State Park
Artist
Kelly Hazel
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
This image depicts a "Rock Stack" left by a previous hiker at the base of Jones Gap Falls in Jones Gap State Park.
These rock stacks are also sometimes referred to as "Prayer Rock Stacks" or "Rock Monuments" as well as many other names. Unlike Cairns, which are deliberate rock stacks used to mark trails and guide hikers, these stacks are created purely for artistic enjoyment.
Many people oppose the practice of stacking rocks in wilderness areas for several reasons. Most notably, moving the rocks can alter the terrain in damaging ways, such as speeding up or slowing down erosion and altering the flow of water through streams and rivers, which in turn, can alter soil conditions and affect plant life. Others feel that the numbers and sizes of stones moved to create the rock monuments are too small to make a difference, and environmental damage can be adequately controlled by simply returning the rocks or knocking the statues over after they have been enjoyed.
Others are opposed to the practice because they do not like to see man's mark left on these areas of the Earth where nature is meant to be protected from man. They feel the rock stacks violate the "leave no trace" ideals of conscientious hikers.
I have not done enough research to take a side in this debate, nor have I ever built a rock monument on my own, however, I do like to stumble across them on my hikes so long as they are built responsibly without impacting the environment negatively.
Uploaded
February 10th, 2017
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Viewed 200 Times - Last Visitor from Wilmington, DE on 03/28/2024 at 2:58 PM
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