Field Notes

The following are brief written descriptions of each cairn describing features not necessarily obvious from the photos.



CAIRN FIELD NOTES, 23LA321


Cairn # 1        
Size Figure of Merit: 2.4                      Ranking: 16  
      
Observations: Three large flat stones form a foundation.  Multiple 2-man-lift stones (~4) are scattered nearby which may have been part of the configuration.  2 Feb 2012


Cairn # 2       
Size Figure of Merit: 6.0                      Ranking:  3
       
 Observations: Two very large flat boulders, near the top layer, dominate this cairn.  It is possible that two ~ 6” high cavities could have served as niches.  There is no apparent disturbance.  2 Feb 2012

       
Cairn # 3
Size Figure of Merit: 2.4                      Ranking: 17  
      
 Observations:  An apparently undisturbed feature, constructed principally with moderate-sized cobbles.  1 Feb 2012


Cairn # 4        
Size Figure of Merit: 5.3                      Ranking: 4 
       
 Observations:  There is some minor disturbance of the SE quadrant.  Two very large flat base stones are visible on the North and West sides.  1 Feb 2012

  
Cairn # 5        
Size Figure of Merit: 4.7                      Ranking: 6
        
Observations: There is a possible minor disturbance on the SE quadrant.  Very large stones are visible in the base on South side.  1 Feb 2012


Cairn # 6       
Size Figure of Merit: 16.4                      Ranking: 1         

Observations: The largest cairn of this collection and the most solidly constructed.  There is no evidence of disturbance.  Distinctive stacked construction is evident on the downhill and uphill sides.  Approximately, 6 courses on the downhill and 3 courses on the uphill can be seen.   31 Jan 2012


Cairn # 7        
Size Figure of Merit: 4.8                      Ranking: 5   
     
Observations: A 10” diameter oak is growing near the center of this cairn.  It appears to have a major disturbance with many boulders rolled downhill (south). The grade level is not exposed by the disturbance.  Some layering is evident on the downhill side.   31 Jan 2012


Cairn # 8        
Size Figure of Merit: 1.4                      Ranking:  22  
     
Observations: Three large (3’ to 20”) relatively flat stones predominate.  Each has been placed on top of the underlying cobbles.   31 Jan 2012
  

Cairn # 9        
Size Figure of Merit: 2.7                      Ranking: 13 
       
Observations: Possibly slightly disturbed on south face, almost to grade level.  Two to three boulders pre-existing could be part of the base.  A first course of large flat stones is in evidence that were then covered with smaller cobbles.    31 Jan 2012


Cairn # 10         
Size Figure of Merit: 2.5                       Ranking: 15 
       
Observations: Consists of mostly small cobbles, with 1 or 2 two-man lift sized stones.  Its condition is undisturbed.  Shows evidence of being built on an existing boulder.     31 Jan 2012


Cairn # A         
Size Figure of Merit: 3.4                      Ranking:  9       

Observations:  The cairn appears to be ringed by 7 large stones, one of which was probably already in place at the time of construction.  It shows some signs of slight disturbance, but not to grade level.          1 Feb 2012


Cairn # B        
Size Figure of Merit: 2.0                      Ranking: 19
        
Observations: This feature may have been disturbed on the flanks, although center cone appears to be preserved.  A few large flat stones are incorporated in the base.     31 Jan 2012

  
Cairn # C        
Size Figure of Merit: 2.0                       Ranking: 18        

Observations: Cairn is probably disturbed, although not to grade level.  It consists mostly of moderate size cobbles.    31 Jan 2012


Cairn # D       
Size Figure of Merit: 1.2                      Ranking: 23
       
Observations: A highly disturbed feature with the center excavated down to grade level.  Two 2-man lift sized stones remain in place.  The excavated debris is scattered on all sides.     1 Feb 2012


Cairn # E        
Size Figure of Merit: 1.9                      Ranking: 19
        
 Observations: A major excavation was done here, taking the center down about 10” below grade.  The debris field is mostly to NW, with some possible SE.  The center excavation is surrounded by large stones, apparently still in place.     1 Feb 2012


Cairn # F        
Size Figure of Merit: 1.0                      Ranking: 24  
      
Observations:  A 12” oak is growing on NE quadrant.  The cairn appears to be moderately disturbed, possibly assisted by the tree’s growth.  Mostly small cobbles visible, except for one 2-3 man-lift sized one.     1 Feb 2012


Cairn # G       
Size Figure of Merit: 2.8                       Ranking: 12
        
 Observations:  Cairn has been disturbed in the center down to grade level, at least.  The debris is apparently on downhill side (S).  A 6” diameter oak is growing on the East flank.    1 Feb 2012


Cairn # H        
Size Figure of Merit: 3.3                      Ranking: 10 
       
 Observations: A highly disturbed center is presented in this cairn.  Most of the debris is downhill in SE quadrant.  The center has been removed a foot below the grade line.  One large (30”) stone still remains in place on the East flank.     1 Feb 2012


Cairn # I        
Size Figure of Merit:   3.9                   Ranking:  8   
    
Observations:  Downhill side is buttressed by two, very heavy (3’ x 2’) boulders. Two slightly smaller boulders above and west of the first two were added.  The rest of the stones is smaller cobble.  There may have been some minor disturbance, which could have been natural occurring.    31 Jan 2012


Cairn # J        
Size Figure of Merit: 3.9                      Ranking:  7
       
Observations:  Only moderate and small cobbles are visible in this feature, one of three located along the downhill side of the wagon trace.  The top is relatively flat compared to most other cairns. 
There is a remote possibility that these three cairns; J, K, O, are the result of dumping during the improvement that resulted in the wagon trail.   31 Jan 2012


Cairn # K       
Size Figure of Merit: 3.1                      Ranking:  11      
 
Observations: A 12” diameter white oak is growing in the SW quadrant of this feature.  The stones are generally larger than those of Cairn #J, but it has the same flat top feature.  There is evidence of layered stacking on the downhill side.
 There is a remote possibility that these three cairns; J, K, O, are the result of dumping during the improvement that resulted in the wagon trail.  31 Jan 2012


Cairn # L       
Size Figure of Merit: 1.6                      Ranking: 21
       
Observations:  Moderate and small sized cobbles.  No layering in evidence.  Undisturbed condition.       31 Jan 2012


Cairn # M         
Size Figure of Merit: 0.8                      Ranking: 26
        
Observations: Three two-man lift stones on the surface, plus one more buried.  This feature may have been slightly disturbed.     31 Jan 2012


Cairn # N        
Size Figure of Merit:  4.8                     Ranking:   5
      
Observations:  This feature has a pronounced asymmetry, with the long axis being parallel with the contour lines.  Larger stones are noted on the uphill side and ends of the cairn.  No signs of layering on the downhill side (south).      31 Jan 2012


Cairn # O        
Size Figure of Merit: 2.6                      Ranking: 14
        
 Observations:  This feature combines the stone sizes of #J and #K.  It is most likely slightly disturbed.
There is a remote possibility that these three cairns; J, K, O, are the result of dumping during the improvement that resulted in the wagon trail.     31 Jan 2012


Cairn # P       
Size Figure of Merit: 0.9                      Ranking: 25
        
 Observations: One 3’ x 2.5’ boulder on west edge.  The cairn may have been slightly disturbed.  A  12” diameter oak is growing in the SW quadrant.  Rock debris is downhill (south).  Mostly cobbles are visible on the surface.  Lower layers are obscured by leaf litter and root mesh.    31 Jan 2012


Cairn # Q (Valentine)      
Size Figure of Merit:    7.2                   Ranking:   3      

Observations:  The feature presents a jumbled collection of larger than average size stones for this complex of cairns. There is very little evidence of lichen, presumably because of the extensive vine coverage.  There is a probable disturbance on the west flank, which reveals a shelf rock, ~2’x2.5’x1’.  Several stones stacked in this feature are larger than a 2-man lift.  23 February 2012

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