Bote Mountain Mystery Rock

What is this? I have seen this rock on the right side of the trail on upper Bote Mountain Road for years. When I first saw it I immediately thought of a corn meal grinder. Or maybe a mortar and pestle? Anyway, its been there for years and is intriguing.

3 comments:

  1. i was reading recently a series of interviews the NPS did with old-timers who used to tend to the herds up on on the Smoky Balds. one of them mentioned that they'd use flat rocks to salt the cattle and that they'd lick indentions into the rocks. i don't know, of course... just throwin that out there. how high up is this spot? pretty close to Spence?

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  2. Yea it is on the right side of the trail above the old turn-around and before you start seeing grass. I bet you are on to something with the salt lick!

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  3. A little late on this post, but I was scrolling through. I'm an Archaeologist, and I can tell you that these types of rocks were used by Native American people as a food preparation tool. They would usually grind corn, wheat, etc in these divots in order to prepare meals. Great shot, and area!

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