Letchworth State Park Gorge/River Valley
Posted by: 
Szuchie
N 42° 35.958 W 078° 01.772
17T E 743694 N 4720597
Letchworth State Park, New York - the Grand Canyon of the East.
Waymark Code: WM2Z0Z
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 01/13/2008
Views: 80
Letchworth State Park, renowned as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs--as high as 600 feet in some places--surrounded by lush forests.*
Millions of years of geological history are evident in the rock formations throughout the park. There are shales and sandstones formed during the Devonian period under shallow interior seas. Tens of millions of years of erosion wore away great depths of the rocks, forming river valleys. These valleys were then changed by glaciers which buried some areas with large masses of sand and gravel. Three winding deep canyons separated by broader wooded valleys within Letchworth State Park are a product of the Genesee River detouring around blocked sections of earlier riverbeds.**
The coordinates above will take you to the Big Bend Overlook. Here you will look upon this expansive canyon and the mighty Genesee River below. Also supplied is a picture of the Middle Falls in Letchworth State Park. Here the Genesee River has created a 107 foot-tall waterfall that drops deep into the gorge below.
These locations pictured within this waymark are easily accessible by designated park trails and/or car and highlight the geological wonders this are contains.
* - www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=12
** - (
visit link)