Elev. 4,011′
Most of the trees below the summit are less than 100 years old; the valley is about 3,000′ down. The climate changed 10,000 years ago and the deciduous forest of oak and chestnut began developing, replacing the spruce and balsam fir except for at the summit. Cracks developed in this rock over millions of years from freezing and thawing, collecting soil within and allowing this birch seed to fall and then sprout. The yellow birch tree has been splitting the rock apart as it grows for the last 50-75 years.