This month, the High Peaks Naturalist Series dug into Maine’s geology and the remarkable history written into our landscape. From glaciers that shaped the terrain to ancient ocean boundaries, we explored the forces that made this corner of Maine what it is today. One memorable detail: Farmington was once oceanfront!

Our field trip took us to Daggett Rock, where community scientist Elliott Schwartz helped us understand how rocks form from magma and what their textures can reveal about how quickly or slowly they cooled. Then it was time to put our new knowledge to the test. Participants showed off their “pet rocks,” offered hypotheses about how they formed, and explained the clues behind their thinking.

The day also wove together geology, local history, and lore. We heard stories of Daggett Rock and imagined a much different landscape, when mastodons roamed the tundra-covered mountainside, before setting off to explore the site ourselves.

A personal connection made the outing especially memorable: one participant shared childhood photographs of herself perched atop the rock with her older sister and brother, a lovely reminder that these places hold family histories as well as geological ones.

Thanks to Elliott and everyone who joined us for a day of curiosity, discovery, and good company in the High Peaks. We left with a fresh appreciation for the stories beneath our feet, and a few new ways to read them.