Pawtuckaway State Park
Encyclopedia
Pawtuckaway State Park is a 5000 acres (20 km²) preserve in New Hampshire, United States. It is one of the largest state park
s in southeastern New Hampshire and is named for Pawtuckaway Lake and the Pawtuckaway Mountains. The park extends from the west shore of the lake to the west side of the mountains.
dating from 130—110 million years ago (Cretaceous
). The ring dike, first completely mapped in 1944, is a smaller and more accessible example of the same kind of geological process that formed the Ossipee Mountains
to the north. The inner ring is roughly one mile in diameter, while the outer is measured at almost two miles.
Earthquake
s occurred in the vicinity of the ring dike in the summer and fall of 1845. Known as the Deerfield explosions, they were described as subterranean noises often as loud as the report of a 12 pounder cannon when heard at a distance of half a mile but without echoes. They were the subject of much speculation at the time.
enthusiasts made an orienteering map
of the park in 1992, the park has become a venue for major orienteering
meets, including foot orienteering
and canoe orienteering
. The venue is shared by several orienteering clubs in New England
, including Cambridge Sports Union
, New England Orienteering Club, and Up North Orienteers. The Pawtuckaway ring dike includes a boulder field of interest to bouldering
climbers, and the park is a popular destination for geocaching
.
Park amenities include 195 campsite
s, 15 miles (24.1 km) of hiking trails, a boat launch, a swimming beach, camp store, ball field, playground, bathhouse, shelters, picnic tables, and canoe and rowboat rentals.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
s in southeastern New Hampshire and is named for Pawtuckaway Lake and the Pawtuckaway Mountains. The park extends from the west shore of the lake to the west side of the mountains.
Geology
The Pawtuckaway Mountains are a small, rocky, circular range that form the outline of an ancient volcanic ring dikeRing dike
A ring dike or ring dyke in geology refers to an intrusive igneous body. Their chemistry, petrology and field appearance precisely match those of dikes or sill, but their concentric or radial geometric distribution around a centre of volcanic activity indicates their subvolcanic origins.-Notable...
dating from 130—110 million years ago (Cretaceous
Cretaceous
The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
). The ring dike, first completely mapped in 1944, is a smaller and more accessible example of the same kind of geological process that formed the Ossipee Mountains
Ossipee Mountains
The Ossipee Mountains are located just south of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, United States. Mount Shaw, at , is the highest point in the range.-Geology and physiography:...
to the north. The inner ring is roughly one mile in diameter, while the outer is measured at almost two miles.
Earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
s occurred in the vicinity of the ring dike in the summer and fall of 1845. Known as the Deerfield explosions, they were described as subterranean noises often as loud as the report of a 12 pounder cannon when heard at a distance of half a mile but without echoes. They were the subject of much speculation at the time.
Recreation
Hiking trails lead to the approximately 200 meter summits of North and South Pawtuckaway mountains and connect the ring dike area to the lake. The lake is a 783 acres (316.9 ha) water body with numerous islands and coves and is a popular boating, fishing, and swimming destination. Since orienteeringOrienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
enthusiasts made an orienteering map
Orienteering map
An orienteering map is a map specially prepared for use in orienteering competitions. It is a topographic map with extra details to help the competitor navigate through the competition area....
of the park in 1992, the park has become a venue for major orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
meets, including foot orienteering
Foot orienteering
Foot orienteering is the oldest formal orienteering sport, and the one with the most "starts" per year. Usually, a foot-O is a timed race in which participants start at staggered intervals, are individually timed, and are expected to perform all navigation on their own. The control points are...
and canoe orienteering
Canoe orienteering
Canoe orienteering is an orienteering sport using a canoe, kayak, or other small boat. Usually, a canoe-O is a timed race in which one- or two-person boats start at staggered intervals, are timed, and are expected to perform all navigation on their own. Portages are allowed. The control points,...
. The venue is shared by several orienteering clubs in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, including Cambridge Sports Union
Cambridge Sports Union
The Cambridge Sports Union was founded in 1962 by Larry Berman and Sara Mae Berman and consists of four semiautonomous sections: running, skiing, orienteering, and racewalking. The running section was founded in 1962 as a component of the Amateur Athletic Union . In 1964, the club added the...
, New England Orienteering Club, and Up North Orienteers. The Pawtuckaway ring dike includes a boulder field of interest to bouldering
Bouldering
Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas...
climbers, and the park is a popular destination for geocaching
Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world....
.
Park amenities include 195 campsite
Campsite
A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in the outdoors. In British English a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the...
s, 15 miles (24.1 km) of hiking trails, a boat launch, a swimming beach, camp store, ball field, playground, bathhouse, shelters, picnic tables, and canoe and rowboat rentals.
External links
- Pawtuckaway State Park - New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation
- Visiting New Hampshire's Biodiversity: Pawtuckaway State Park - New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands