Hadley Hills

{{Short description|Glacial moraine}}

The Hadley Hills are a rugged glacial moraine located in The Thumb of Michigan, that extend from northern Oakland County and into southern Lapeer County.

The Hadley Hills surround the village of Hadley;{{cite book|title=History of Lapeer County, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers|url=https://archive.org/details/arh7680.0001.001.umich.edu|year=1884|publisher=H.R. Page & Co.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/arh7680.0001.001.umich.edu/page/1 1]–}} The highest points and most prominent outcroppings are: Pinnacle Point at {{convert|1,262|ft|m}}, Kerr (Cemetery) Hill at {{convert|1,258|ft|m}}, both located in Hadley Township; Mt. Christie at {{convert|1,251|ft|m}}, in Metamora Township; and a point near Mayville reaching up to {{convert|1,050|ft|m}} above sea level. Located predominately in Hadley Township in Lapeer County, the Hadley Hills are actually an extension of a much larger collection of hills which are attributed to other geologically related moraines that run in a southwesterly direction from northern Lapeer County and stretch as far south as northern Indiana and Ohio. The southern portion of this moraine system is known collectively as the Irish Hills. This glacial ridge and plateau system creates some of the highest points in southern lower Michigan, is dotted by numerous lakes, and provides the Detroit Metropolitan Area with many of its recreational areas,{{cite book|author=Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners (U.S.).|title=Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GBvxAAAAMAAJ|year=1971|publisher=Western Association of State Game & Fish Commissioners.}} parks, ski resorts, and beaches, including the Ortonville Recreation Area, Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area, the Holly State Recreation Area, as well as the Mt. Holly and Pine Knob ski areas.

The Hadley Hills were created in a slightly different geologic process from the rest of the moraines in this system. The Hadley Hills are a veiki moraine, which is produced by the melting of leftover (or "dead") glacial ice, which created a plateau of glacial debris,{{cite book|author1=Michigan. Dept. of Natural Resources|author2=Shirley Walter Allen|author3=George Charles Sumner Benson|title=They Need Not Vanish: A Discussion of the Natural Resources of Michigan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-T1lMzo_VHsC|year=1942|publisher=Michigan Department of Conservation}} instead of the typical glacial ridges associated with the rest of the system which were produced by the advancement and retreat of the glaciers. This accounts for the numerous basin lakes, sinkholes, and the unusual shape and rugged terrain associated with these hills.{{cite book|author1=Kent L. Copeman|author2=Laura Strauss|author3=Reta Copeman|title=A Historical Scrapbook of Hadley Township|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=boDhAAAAMAAJ|year=1977|publisher=Hadley Friends of the Library}}

The hills provide habitat for wildlife, and are popular with hunters[http://www.clarkstonnews.com/Articles-i-2008-07-30-222999.113122-sub-Hadley-Hills-Coon-Hunters-Association-tradition-continues.html "Hadley Hills Coon Hunters Association tradition continues"]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. The Citizen and fishermen.{{cite book|author=T. Huggler|title=Hunt Michigan!: How To, Where To, When To|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r9zhAAAAMAAJ|date=1 June 1985|publisher=Michigan United Conservation Clubs|isbn=978-0-933112-12-4}}{{cite book|title=It's Playtime All the Time in Eastern and Central Michigan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w4bhAAAAMAAJ|publisher=East Michigan Tourist Association}} There is also a network of trails used by hiker, snowmobilers and for horseback riding.[http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20110501/horsin-around-equestrian-work-bee-seeks-participants-to-clean-improve-area "HORSIN' AROUND: Equestrian work bee seeks participants to clean, improve area"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232556/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20110501/horsin-around-equestrian-work-bee-seeks-participants-to-clean-improve-area |date=2016-03-03 }}. Oakland Press News. By SHARON GREENE