Big Rock (glacial erratic) - Morton Arboretum; Lisle, IL - Rock and Mineral Displays on Waymarking.com

In the Morton Arboretum, you can find a glacial erratic - a granite boulder that originated in Northern Michigan or Canada left by the retreating glaciers 14,000 years ago.

To find your way back from this spot to the nearest parking area or any of the Main Trail loops, you can take either the 1.3-mile Heritage Trail or the 0.6-mile Woodland Trail.

The interpretive sign reads as follows:

Did Big Rock Move Twice?

Many thousands of years ago, this granit boulder lay in northern Michigan or Canada. It was scooped up like a pebble by a massive glacier and carried here.

We don't know for sure, but about 100 years ago, it may have been moved again, to clear the nearby field for farming. If so, it most likely took a team of at least three strong horses to drag it just a few hundred feet to this spot.

Big Rock weighs an estimated 12-14 tons! Only about 15% is buried in the ground.

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To visit, you either have to be a member (like we are) of the Morton Arboretum (or reciprocal organization) or pay the daily entrance fee.

The current daily fees are $11.00 for Adults (18–64), $10.00 for Seniors (65+), and $8.00 for Children (3–17). Two-year-olds and under are Free! And there are admission discounts on Wednesdays.

The Morton Arboretum is open 365 days a year. The grounds open at 7:00 a.m. and close at sunset.

Type of Display: Erratic

Visit Instructions:
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Also, please provide your impression of the specimen or display.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   07/04/2011 Go Boilers! visited it