White Granite and Schist

September 01, 2003

Rmnpschistongranite copy 



  

Provided and copyright by: Jack Carlson, Colo. Spgs School Dist. 11/The Bijou School
Summary authors & editors: Jack Carlson

Off of the Rock Cut Trail, a stop on the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, the above formation of schist and white granite stands out. Note that the granite column (igneous) is more eroded than the schist (metamorphic). The surrounding area is littered with white gravel from exposed layers of white granite. From a distance, it looks like snow, of which there is plenty year-round since the elevation is almost 12,000 feet or 3,658 m. The schist/granite connection, as well as other examples of metamorphic/igneous contacts, can be found in many locations throughout the Park.

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