Daggett Rock
| Daggett Rock | |
|---|---|
Daggett Rock in October 2025, viewed from the south | |
Daggett Rock Location in Maine | |
| Location | Phillips, Maine, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°50′54″N 70°18′18″W / 44.8484°N 70.3049°W |
| Administered by | Phillips Historical Society Museum |
| Website | Daggett Rock |
Daggett Rock (sometimes known as Daggett's rock or Cleft rock) is the largest known glacial erratic in Maine. Located in Phillips, its above-ground portion is about 80 feet (24 m) long, 30 feet (9.1 m) wide, and 25 feet (7.6 m) high, with up to two-thirds of the boulder buried beneath the surface.[1] It is estimated to weigh around 8,000 tons. The rock is split into three pieces[2] with trails running between them.[3]
Geology
Daggett Rock is composed of granite, with some individual feldspar crystals more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length.[2] The prevailing opinion amongst geologists is that the boulder originates from the Redington pluton in the Saddleback Mountain area of Rangeley. It was plucked from the ground and transported by glacial ice about 12 miles (19 km) southeast to its current location during the last glacial period, roughly 14,000 years ago.[1][2]
History
Geologic evidence indicates that Daggett Rock split after it was deposited by the glacier thousands of years ago.[3][1]
According to popular local legend, in the early 1800s a local woodsman named Daggett came upon the rock while intoxicated during a violent lightning storm and climbed atop it. Upon reaching the top, he cursed God and claimed he could not be struck down, whereupon a great bolt of lightning struck the rock, killing him and splitting the rock into three segments.[2][3]
Since the 1880s, Daggett Rock has been a popular location amongst wealthy tourists, drawn by the unique nature of the erratic, and it has since become a popular spot for rock climbers.[4]
Location
Daggett Rock is located off of Wheeler Hill Road in Philips, Maine. It is accessible via a 0.33 miles (0.53 km) gradual uphill trail.[1][3][5] The property the rock is located on is owned by the Philips Historical Society Museum and maintained by the High Peaks Alliance.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Daggett Rock". phillipshistoricalsocietymuseum.org. Phillips Historical Society Museum. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d Weddle, Thomas K. (August 2004). "Daggett Rock - Maine's Largest Glacial Erratic". digitalmaine.com. Maine Geological Survey. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Daggett Rock Trail". Maine Trail Finder. Community Geographics. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ Butler, Jan & Christy (2018). Erratic Wandering. Jan & Christy Butler. ISBN 978-1540569875.
- ^ a b "Daggett Rock Trail" (PDF). High Peaks Alliance. High Peaks Alliance. Retrieved 13 January 2026.