OSTH - Fossil and Rock Hunting

OSTH – Fossils

This is part of the Open Source Treasure Hunt

Hemlock Visitor brochure and permit
Mapquest Hemlock, NY
History of Canadice
1904 Map of Hemlock
Canadice Trail Guide

I would like to discuss some of the geology that exists in the Hemlock/Canadice Lake region near Rochester. These lakes, like all the Finger Lakes were created during the last Ice Age. As the Ice sheet advanced over the area, it gouged out the softer soil between the ridges, creating the bowls that the lakes sit in now. You’ll have to look in Pennsylvania for the missing soil. The Iroquois believe that the lakes were gouged out by the fingers of a deity.

This unique creation process has created some excellent opportunities for fossil and rock hunting. As you can see in this picture, there is a significant runoff in the spring. This area loses bridges to runoff every few years. This runoff has the effect of cutting deep channels into the surrounding hills, continuously cutting into new strata in the hills. There are many smooth rocks for collectors in the creek bed, with fossils mixed in. The hills have several fossil bearing strata that feed into the creek bed. So far, I’ve found minor fossils all over the road and creek beds. I’m not proficient in identifying fossils, but everything so far has been of the shellfish variety. You don’t have to go very far from the lake to see what’s up in the hills. There’s a good layer of quartz up there, somewhere. I think it will take a couple more trips before I find a really good example, but I’m expecting a good find eventually. The streams act as concentrators for the geology up on the hill. Instead of climbing every creek bed to see what’s up there, you can scout at the mouth of the stream, and then decide if climbing that steep hill is worth it.

Each lake has dozens of channels feeding down the hills. Since the majority of the creeks are seasonal, it is very safe to explore them in summer, fall and winter. The hills are very steep, so bring good hiking boots and BUG REPELLENT. By the time July hits, the place looks like an OFF! commercial.

Tags: OSTH, Fossils, Rock Hunting, Hemlock Lake, Canadice Lake