What is the "scar" in the north slope of the MacIntyre Range?

[timetohike]

Looking at a satellite photo of the trail up Wright-Algonquin-Iroquios, it appears that there is a "scar" in the north slope of the Macintyre Range beginning at the point where the trail turns uphill.

In these pictures you can see the "scar" just above the white line. (The blue line is the trail.)

Doesn't anyone know what it is?

Looking from the north:



Looking from the above:

[Hobbitling]

seems to be following a NE to SW line. you'll notice most of the lakes in the adirondacks are also oriented in that direction, which is due to glacial erosion. This is probably glacial. notice the smaller parallel mark below.

any geologists out there?

[timetohike]

seems to be following a NE to SW line. you'll notice most of the lakes in the adirondacks are also oriented in that direction, which is due to glacial erosion. This is probably glacial. notice the smaller parallel mark below.

any geologists out there?

Yes, I see the smaller track below the other one.

The higher one looks like it goes all the way from the trail to Wright-Algonquin to the trail that runs from Colden to Indian Pass. I wonder if anyone has tried traversing it.

[Haderondah]

The NE/SW trend you see in Adirondack features, especially lakes is a structural feature. It has nothing to do with glaciers.

[Haderondah]

The NE/SW trend you see in Adirondack features, especially lakes, is a structural feature. It has nothing to do with glaciers. The "scar" you have identified is also a structural feature. Rather than attempt to explain the concept, here is the rather dim witted wikipedia entry on structure: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_geology

Sorry, no oil in the Dacks.

[Haderondah]

Specifically, that's a fault, a rather minor strike/slip fault. Most of the big, linear Adirondack lakes are also developed in fault structures. Lake George, for example, is developed in a horst and graben structure. If you stand on the west shore at the south end you can see the parallel strike/slip faults that developed as the horst (the lake) separated from the graben (the mountains on the east shore).

OK, sorry to bore; I'm afraid I used to be a geologist...

[Haderondah]

I correct myself. The faults you see on the east side of Lake Geroge are normal faults, not strike/slip faults. I'll shut up now.