Unearth The Voyage
Tucked away in Vermont’s scenic Northeast Kingdom lies Westmore, a small town with a big geological story. This hidden gem, nestled between Lyndonville and Barton, features a remarkable natural rock garden sculpted by ancient glaciers thousands of years ago. The stunning formations in Sentinel Rock State Park offer visitors a chance to witness firsthand the powerful artistic touch of Ice Age forces that shaped Vermont’s landscape.
A Hidden Sculpture Garden Crafted by Ice
Massive boulders scattered across Westmore’s landscape tell the story of a world covered in ice. These aren’t ordinary rocks—they’re glacial erratics, enormous stones transported and deposited by advancing and retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age, roughly 13,000 years ago.
The natural rock garden in Westmore presents a fascinating outdoor museum where each stone has traveled miles from its original location. Some boulders appear delicately balanced, while others create natural corridors and viewing platforms.
Walking among these silent stone sentinels offers a rare opportunity to touch geological history. Children love climbing these natural jungle gyms while adults appreciate both their scientific significance and stark beauty against Vermont’s green backdrop.
Sentinel Rock — Nature’s Silent Sentinel
Rising majestically over 2,034 feet above sea level stands Sentinel Rock, the crown jewel of Westmore’s geological wonders. This enormous glacial erratic commands attention not just for its size but for its improbable positioning—perched dramatically as if placed deliberately by some giant hand.
The rock earned its name honestly. Like a watchful guardian, it has silently observed centuries of changing landscapes, weather patterns, and human activity. Geologists estimate this massive boulder traveled miles from its original bedrock location, carried by the inexorable force of moving ice.
Standing beside this monolith creates an almost spiritual experience. Visitors often place their palms against its cool surface, forming a physical connection with deep time and the powerful natural forces that shaped our continent.
Into the Glacier’s Garden
Beyond the main attractions lies a wonderland of smaller geological treasures throughout Westmore. Striations—fine lines etched into rock surfaces—reveal the exact direction ancient glaciers moved across this land, like nature’s compass pointing to the past.
Kettle ponds dot the landscape, formed when massive ice chunks broke off from retreating glaciers and created depressions that later filled with water. These small, often circular ponds support unique ecosystems of plants and animals adapted to these special environments.
Look closely at the soil itself and you’ll notice it differs from surrounding areas. The glacier’s grinding action produced till—a mixture of clay, sand, gravel and boulders that creates the fertile foundation for Westmore’s distinctive plant communities, including rare alpine species found nowhere else in the region.
Peaks, Lakes & Fall Colors — A Seasonal Stairway
Lake Willoughby, Westmore’s crown jewel, wasn’t just any lake—it was carved by the same glacial forces that created the rock garden. This deep, fjord-like body of water sits dramatically between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, its steep cliffs plunging directly into crystal-clear waters.
Fall transforms this geological showcase into a riot of color. Vibrant reds, oranges, and golds frame the ancient rocks and reflect in the lake’s surface, creating a photographer’s paradise. The contrast between rugged stone monuments and delicate autumn foliage highlights nature’s remarkable diversity.
Hiking trails weave through this seasonal spectacle, offering visitors elevated views of the rock garden against Vermont’s famous fall backdrop. The combination of glacial formations, mountain vistas, and seasonal colors creates a multi-layered natural experience unique to this corner of Vermont.
Sentinel Rock State Park — Undeveloped, But Inviting
Spanning 356 acres of protected land, Sentinel Rock State Park maintains a refreshing lack of commercial development. Rather than gift shops and concession stands, visitors find interpretive signs explaining the area’s unique geology, allowing the natural features to speak for themselves.
The park offers thoughtfully designed accessibility features without compromising its wild character. ADA-compliant paths lead to key viewing areas of the glacial erratics and historic farmhouse foundations, ensuring this geological wonder can be experienced by visitors of all mobility levels.
Local conservation efforts focus on preserving both the geological features and the surrounding ecosystem. Volunteer-led educational programs during summer months help visitors understand how these ancient rocks continue to shape the present landscape—a living classroom where Vermont’s dramatic geological history becomes tangible.
