| The geology surrounding Courtright Reservoir is incredible! The
Sierra Nevada is comprised predominantly of granitic rock that intruded
approximately 200 million years ago forming the Sierra Nevada batholith.The granitic intrusion metamorphosed
older overlying sedimentary and volcanic rocks, which are observed
today as roof pendants on the high peaks. Formation of the modern
Sierra Nevada began about 50 Ma when uplifting of the earth’s
crust commenced, followed by periods of extensive weathering and
glaciation forming the current topography and geologic features in the
region. Granite forms plutons of igneous rock several kilometers below the surface as magma slowly cools and crystallizes. The granite is under great overhead pressure. Then, granite is uplifted to the surface during a mountain-building event. During the mountain building process, the overlying rock is eroded as the granite is uplifted, and the pressure on the granite reduced. The granite expands and forms fractures or sheet joints parallel to the surface. The granite then erodes in concentric layers (similar to how an onion peels) forming rounded masses called exfoliation domes. This page exhibits some of the granite plutons (domes) surrounding the reservoir. |
| Later in the day as I was coming down off of the granite dome where I had taken many photos of Courtright and the surrounding area I came across this scene. I liked how the light illuminated the ground cover. |