Two Dozen Erratics Fanatics Inspired by Local Challenge

Nature in Your Neighborhood Contest Inspires Local Search for Largest Erratics on the Quimper Peninsula

During Nature in Your Neighborhood, Michael Machette, former Land Trust board member and current member of the Quimper Geological Society Board of Advisors, hosted an Extending Your Reach presentation on the Glacial Geology of the Quimper Peninsula. As part of his discussion, he explained the phenomenon of glacial erratics.

Erratics are exotic rocks or boulders that have been brought from a distance by glacial action. For the Quimper Peninsula, that means boulders brought south about 18,000 years ago by the Vashon glaciers that originated in Canada and Northern Washington.

Erratics can be easily found all over the peninsula, including on Marrowstone and Indian islands. They’re particularly common on the beach at water’s edge or partially submerged.

At the end of the presentation, Michael challenged the audience to find the biggest erratics on the northern Quimper Peninsula north of Highways 104 and 101. The reward: a Land Trust hat with “Erratics Rock” embroidered on the back.

Definitely up for the challenge, 24 intrepid explorers submitted more than 100 erratics 6-feet or longer. A few of them are on land protected by the Land Trust. The winning erratic, Juanita’s Rock, was submitted by Calmar McCune.

After the contest closed, a few even more impressive erratics were submitted. Visit the Quimper Geological Society website to see the full challenge results and learn more about this fun contest that gave so many of us a good reason to explore the Quimper Peninsula.

Michael, thanks for inspiring all the fun!