Tripod Rock, Summer Solstice Sunset, Pyramid Mt.
Photo Tour
Text & Photos by Edward Bochnak
New England Antiquities Research Association
Tripod Rock, Summer Solstice Sunset, Pyramid Mt.
Photo TourText & Photos by Edward Bochnak
Site Visit: June 22, 2003
Pyramid Mountain Natural Historical Area
Tripod Rock is located in the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historical Area in the borough of Kinnelon and Montville Townships in New Jersey. There are more than 1000 acres, including trails, fields, forests, rock outcroppings and wetlands, providing a wide range of geological and ecological experience.
This wilderness land was used as a hunting, fishing, and gathering site or over 10,000 years by Native Americans, including the Lenape Indians, who were encountered by the first European settlers over three hundreds years ago. Many of these first explorers, traders, and settlers who discovered this special corner of old Pequannock were of Dutch extraction. Surveyor's stones and enduring stone walls still mark the homestead farms and woodlot boundaries.
The white trail leads to a special point of interest. On the top of a 960 foot hill is a unique glacial erratic, known as Tripod Rock or Three Pillar Rock.
This famous multi-ton boulder is balanced on three smaller boulders. It is 15 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 8 feet high. There is a peculiar triangular crest running the length of its top. The entire boulder is balanced two feet above the bedrock on three smaller stones. The point of contact between the main boulder and its support stones formed an approximate 3-4-5 triangle.
About 30 feet away from Tripod Rock stands a boulder arrangement which appears to form a triangle. Two large boulders balanced partially on two smaller stones for the base. The apex is about 15 feet away and in the form of a smaller rock. The apex of the triangular configuration points to a hill forming the horizon. Intriguingly, it has been observed that this sightline forms the setting point of the sun on the summer solstice.
Arrangement of the boulders and sightline at Tripod Rock on Pyramid Mountain
Two Late Afternoon Views of Tripod Rock
notice the crest running horizontally the length of the top
Tripod Rock
notice the triangular end of the crest
Close up of Supporting Stones
these are said to make an approximate 3-4-5 triangle
Triangular Area
Picture 1: Apex stone in foreground, man standing between the base stones.
Picture 2: Horizon and base stones. Apex stone can be seen in between and beyond the base stones.
Late Afternoon ~ Summer Solstice Sunset, June 22, 2003
Sun Framed by the Base Stones
Sun Sets Exactly Over the Apex Rock as Viewed from Between the Base Stones
Email Edward Bochnak: ejb.video@netzero.net
Copyright © 2003 & 2004 by Edward Bochnak
New England Antiquities Research Association
