Ticklish Rock is an unusual sandstone

Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...

 rock formation

Outcrop

An outcrop is a visible exposure of bedrock or ancient superficial deposits on the surface of the Earth. -Features:Outcrops do not cover the majority of the Earth's land surface because in most places the bedrock or superficial deposits are covered by a mantle of soil and vegetation and cannot be...

. located in Shrewsbury Township

Shrewsbury Township, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

Shrewsbury Township is a township in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 328 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 48.1 square miles , of which, 47.8 square miles of it is land and...

, Sullivan County

Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population is 6,428. Sullivan County was created on March 15, 1847, from part of Lycoming County and named for Charles Sullivan, leader of the Pennsylvania Senate...

, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

. The brown and green sandstone formation, which stands at the edge of a steep cliff

Cliff

In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are formed as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually...

 and resembles an upright hammer

Hammer

A hammer is a tool meant to deliver an impact to an object. The most common uses are for driving nails, fitting parts, forging metal and breaking up objects. Hammers are often designed for a specific purpose, and vary widely in their shape and structure. The usual features are a handle and a head,...

, consists of a large horizontal block, 3 feet high, 8 feet long, and 6 feet wide (0.9 x 2.4 x 1.8 m), balanced upon a thin, 18 x 30 in (46 x 76 cm) pedestal.

Ticklish Rock is part of Pennsylvania's Catskill Formation, which was formed during the Devonian

Devonian

The Devonian is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic Era spanning from the end of the Silurian Period, about 416.0 ± 2.8 Mya , to the beginning of the Carboniferous Period, about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya...

 period. The outcrop itself is the result of more recent uneven weathering

Weathering

Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals as well as artificial materials through contact with the Earth's atmosphere, biota and waters...

, which removed all but the pedestal from under the block.

Getting There

From U.S. Route 220, 5 miles north of Picture Rocks at Glen Mawr, up Rock Run 2 miles to Rock Run Church, on the left fork 2.3 miles to a house on the right. Parking is located shortly after the house across the road from the trail head. As of 4-1-2010 the trail sign was no longer there.

There is an immediate fork in the trail, take the right side. Be aware that although this is a 0.25 mile hike in, the grade of the trail is relatively steep. When you get to the top, continue towards the rocks. You will not immediately see Ticklish Rock as it will be below you. There are several paths to get down to the rock. Ranging from an easy grade to a scramble.

Advisory

Be careful on the rocks, due to risk of falling. Some trails to the Ticklish Rock may not be for everyone. Scout an appropriate before heading down. Off the trails there are many prickly bushes.

In the area there are wreaths and flowers indicating that loved ones may have passed at this site. Please use your best judgement.

Remarks

A block of flat-lying, brown and green sandstone (Catskill Formation, Devonian age), 3 by 8 feet in cross section, 6 feet thick, resting on a pedestal that is 18 by 30 inches. The outcrop is on the rim of the Allegheny Ridge; an excellent example of differential weathering.

Reference

Pennsylvania Department of Internal Affairs (1939), Ticklish Rock - One of State's curious formations, Pennsylvania Department of Internal Affairs Monthly Bulletin 7, no. 11, p. 3-4.

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