Found something on Lions Head...

[kaseri]

Yesterday I decided to hike to Lions Head. I found something that looks like a marker of some type. Anyone know what this thing is?

http://www.darides.com/marker.jpg

[Bill O]

Yep, its a marker.

Its a reference point where you'd place your survey equipment. Most likely a theodolite.

Where exactly did you find it? What elevation?

[Bill O]

I'm guessing it was at exactly 5,033'. Right on top of Lion's Head.

If you look at Brad Washburn's "The Presidential Range" map there is a survey marker right at 5,033'.

[kaseri]

It was right on top of Lions Head. I figured it was some type of survey marker.

[Bill O]

Here's more than you ever wanted to know about benchmarks and control points:

http://www.geocaching.com/mark/

There is a whole group of people that find and log their visits to benchmarks. I found a bunch in Vermont that haven't been seen in decades.

How big was that pin? It looks smaller than the original hole drilled. Was that hole the size of a typical benchmark? The kind that has text stamped into it? I'm guessing the original plate was stolen.

Edit: Most likely it is a vertical control point called a "bolt".

[kaseri]

No text stamped into it. It was about the thickness of my thumb. Looked noting like a typical USGS type marker. The hole looked smaller than the typical USGS type marker.