While the Scarborough Bluffs are popular landmark in Scarborough, and for good reason due to the towering cathedral bluffs, but just to their east lies another site where Scarborough’s glacial geology is on full display.
Check out our recent article on the Scarborough Bluffs Park
East point park (see site S96: East Point) lies along the waterfront trail that straddles the northern coast of Lake Ontario. A short detour away from the trail, near the water treatment station, along the trail you will find trails and access to the beach below East Point Park. Visible from the beach are staggering cliffs predominantly composed of glacial till, a concrete like mixture of clay, silt, sand, and gravel deposited by ice sheets.
The cliffs at East Point Park can be unstable, please use discretion when visiting the site by staying on marked trails, avoid venturing onto the cliffs’ edge and standing below the cliffs.
Walking down the path towards the coast and continuing along the beach, the bare cliff faces will slowly be revealed (Figure 1). Take care walking along the coast as it is littered with cobbles and boulders left behind as the cliffs eroded landward. The various types of rounded stones provide a great color contrast when wet (Figure 2). They also display the transformative power of glaciers since these boulders are commonly composed of gneiss, granite and limestones transported from regions to the north.
Figure 1- Till and boulders at East Point Park
Figure 2-Boulders and cobbles along the waters edge
As you continue along the coast the cliffs begin to grow in size, with interesting pinnacles of remnant materials found at some points as erosive processes are on full display (Figure 3). The slopes as you approach the point, the bend in the beach, steepen dramatically. Here the erosive power of the lake are on display as talus piles, the small piles of rubble at the base of the cliffs, become more plentiful (Figure 4). This is a warning of the ever-present hazards along the base of the cliffs, visitors should use discretion when visiting this site.
Figure 3- Till at East Point Park
Figure 4-The receding coast in action at East Point Park
As you approach the point if you watch the cliff face carefully you should be able to spot a boulder pavement! This is a distinct horizontally continuous layer of boulders and cobbles within the glacial till (Figures 5). If you are lucky, you will be able to spot precariously embedded boulders in the eroded cliff face (Figure 6). As the cliffs erode these will eventually be released and be added to the collection of boulders you can find along the beach.
Once you pass the boulder pavement and the venture out passed the point, you will be met with a magnificent view of Scarborough Bluffs if you look westward. However, I will leave that view for you to see yourself (sorry no picture)!
Figure 5- Boulder pavements and steep cliffs at East Point Park
Figure 6-Large boulders embedded within the till at East Point Park
Want to learn more?
Check out the virtual field trip giving a deeper dive into the rocks of Scarborough, including the trademark bluffs of the region, or simply the interactive virtual field trip that lets you explore the bluffs remotely.
Want to find more sites like this?
Check out the Planet Rocks site for locations across Ontario of geological and/or historical significance for you to explore!