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Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 40°07′28″N 77°39′59″W / 40.12444°N 77.66639°W / 40.12444; -77.66639
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{{hatnote|Not to be confused with [[Blue Ridge Mountain, Pennsylvania|Blue Ridge Mountain]] (41.3628,-076.0535), a summit, also in Pennsylvania but limited to [[Wyoming County, Pennsylvania|Wyoming County]].<ref name=gnis-blue-ridge>{{cite gnis | id = 1169893 | name = Blue Ridge Mountain
{{hatnote|Not to be confused with [[Blue Ridge Mountain, Pennsylvania|Blue Ridge Mountain]] (41.3628,-076.0535), a summit, also in Pennsylvania but limited to [[Wyoming County, Pennsylvania|Wyoming County]].<ref name=gnis-blue-ridge>{{cite gnis | id = 1169893 | name = Blue Ridge Mountain
| quote=Blue Ridge Mountain 1169893 Summit Wyoming PA 413628N 0760535W 1171 Meshoppen - 02-AUG-1979 | access-date = 2017-03-29 }}</ref>}}
| quote=Blue Ridge Mountain 1169893 Summit Wyoming PA 413628N 0760535W 1171 Meshoppen - 02-AUG-1979 | access-date = 2017-03-29 }}</ref>}}
{{for|The mountain ranges in Australia|Blue Mountains (New South Wales)}}
{{Infobox mountain range
{{Infobox mountain
<!-- |Mountain Range *** Name section *** -->
<!-- |Mountain Range *** Name section *** -->
| name= Blue Mountain<ref name="gnis"> {{cite gnis | id = 1193708 | name = Blue Mountain | access-date = 2009-02-07
| name= Blue Mountain<ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis | id = 1193708 | name = Blue Mountain | access-date = 2009-02-07
| quote= 1193708 Name: Blue Mountain 40.1245315 -77.6663793 400728N 0773959W Roxbury
| quote= 1193708 Name: Blue Mountain 40.1245315 -77.6663793 400728N 0773959W Roxbury
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
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| subdivision1= [[Pennsylvania]]
| subdivision1= [[Pennsylvania]]
<!-- *** Orography *** -->
<!-- *** Orography *** -->
| borders_on= {{enum|[[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians]]|[[Great Appalachian Valley]]}}
| borders_on= {{hlist|[[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians]]|[[Great Appalachian Valley]]}}
| geology= {{enum|[[Tuscarora Formation]]|[[Shawangunk Formation]]; [[sedimentary rock|sedimentary]]}}
| geology= {{hlist|[[Tuscarora Formation]]|[[Shawangunk Formation]]; [[sedimentary rock|sedimentary]]}}
| age= [[Silurian]]
| age= [[Silurian]]
| orogeny= [[Appalachian Mountains]]
| orogeny= [[Appalachian Mountains]]
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| elevation_ft= 1129<!-- 1193708 Name: Blue Mountain 40.1245315 -77.6663793 400728N 0773959W - 40 07 28N 077 39 59W --->
| elevation_ft= 1129<!-- 1193708 Name: Blue Mountain 40.1245315 -77.6663793 400728N 0773959W - 40 07 28N 077 39 59W --->
| elevation_ref=<ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ref=<ref name=gnis/>
| highest= [[Clarks Knob]] {{convert|2320|ft}}<ref name="gnis-ck">{{cite gnis | id = 1192270 | name = Clarks Knob | access-date = 2009-02-08 }}</ref>
| highest= [[Clarks Knob]] in [[Franklin County, Pennsylvania]] {{convert|2320|ft}}<ref name="gnis-ck">{{cite gnis | id = 1192270 | name = Clarks Knob | access-date = 2009-02-08 }}</ref>
<!-- *** Map section *** --->
<!-- *** Map section *** --->
| map=
| map=
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| coordinates= {{coord|40|07|28|N|77|39|59|W|type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates= {{coord|40|07|28|N|77|39|59|W|type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
}}
}}
'''Blue Mountain''', '''Blue Mountain Ridge''', or the '''Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania''', is a ridge of the [[Appalachian Mountains]] in eastern [[Pennsylvania]]. Forming the southern and eastern edge of the [[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians]] physiographic province in Pennsylvania, Blue Mountain extends {{convert|150|mi}} from the [[Delaware Water Gap]] on the [[New Jersey]] border in the east to Big Gap in [[Franklin County, Pennsylvania|Franklin County]] in south-central Pennsylvania at its southwestern end.
'''Blue Mountain''', '''Blue Mountain Ridge''', or the '''Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania''' is a ridge of the [[Appalachian Mountains]] in eastern [[Pennsylvania]]. Forming the southern and eastern edge of the [[Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians]] physiographic province in Pennsylvania, Blue Mountain extends {{convert|150|mi}} from the [[Delaware Water Gap]] on the [[New Jersey]] border in the east to Big Gap in [[Franklin County, Pennsylvania|Franklin County]] in south-central Pennsylvania at its southwestern end.


Views of Blue Mountain dominate the southern tier of most eastern and central Pennsylvanian counties, providing an ever-visible backdrop cutting across the northern or western horizon. Most transport corridors and road beds piercing the barrier necessarily pass through either large [[water gap]]s (west to east: the [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]], [[Schuylkill River|Schuylkill]], [[Lehigh River|Lehigh]] and [[Delaware River]] valleys) or [[wind gap]]s, low gaps in the ridge caused by ancient watercourses. The [[barrier ridge]] forms a distinct boundary between a number of Pennsylvania's geographical and cultural regions.
Views of Blue Mountain dominate the southern tier of most eastern and central Pennsylvania counties, providing an ever-visible backdrop cutting across the northern or western horizon. Most transport corridors and road beds piercing the barrier necessarily pass through large [[water gap]]s, including (west to east) the [[Susquehanna River|Susquehanna]], [[Schuylkill River|Schuylkill]], [[Lehigh River|Lehigh]] and [[Delaware River]] valleys or [[wind gap]]s, low gaps in the ridge caused by ancient watercourses. The [[barrier ridge]] forms a distinct boundary between a number of Pennsylvania's geographical and cultural regions.


To the south of the [[Susquehanna River]] gap in the south-central part of the state is the [[Cumberland Valley]], part of the [[Great Appalachian Valley]]; to its northwest side are the southern reaches of the [[Susquehanna Valley]] with picturesque streams channeling travel corridors deep into and over the central and western mountains and valleys—the heartland interior counties of Pennsylvania; along the [[Main Branch Susquehanna]], the valleys also lead into the [[Coal Region]] of northeast Pennsylvania, the [[Wyoming Valley]], and the distant [[Pocono Mountains|Poconos]]. To the south of Blue Mountain lies the [[Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area|Capital Region]] of [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] and nearby communities, the rich farming country of the [[Lebanon Valley]] and [[Pennsylvania Dutch Country]] of [[York County, Pennsylvania|York]] and [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]] counties, the lower half of the [[Lehigh Valley]], and the lower [[Delaware Valley]]; the latter two extend north through water gaps beyond the ridgeline.
To the south of the [[Susquehanna River]] gap in the south-central part of the state is the [[Cumberland Valley]], part of the [[Great Appalachian Valley]]; to its northwest side are the southern reaches of the [[Susquehanna Valley]] with picturesque streams channeling travel corridors deep into and over the central and western mountains and valleys—the heartland interior counties of Pennsylvania; along the [[Main Branch Susquehanna]], the valleys also lead into the [[Coal Region]] of northeast Pennsylvania, the [[Wyoming Valley]], and the distant [[Pocono Mountains|Poconos]]. To the south of Blue Mountain lies the [[Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area|Capital Region]] of [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] and nearby communities, the rich farming country of the [[Lebanon Valley]] and [[Pennsylvania Dutch Country]] of [[York County, Pennsylvania|York]] and [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]] counties, the lower half of the [[Lehigh Valley]], and the lower [[Delaware Valley]], both of which extend north through water gaps beyond the ridgeline.

⚫
[[Blue Mountain School District]], which is named after the mountain range, is located just off [[Pennsylvania Route 61|PA Route 61]] in [[Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania]].


==Geography==
==Geography==
[[File:Sunday Drive (4) (12735489134).jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Blue Mountain in [[Moore Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Moore Township]] in the [[Lehigh Valley]], February 2014]]
[[File:Sunday Drive (4) (12735489134).jpg|thumb|Blue Mountain in [[Moore Township, Pennsylvania|Moore Township]] in the [[Lehigh Valley]] region of eastern [[Pennsylvania]] in February 2014]]
The ridge of Blue Mountain runs for {{convert|150|mi}} through [[Pennsylvania]], reaching an elevation of {{convert|2270|ft|m}} above sea level just north of the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]], near the borough of [[Newburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania|Newburg]]. Most of the ridgecrest, however, only reaches between {{convert|1400|and|1700|ft|m}} in elevation. The mountain's width varies from {{convert|1|to|3|mi|km}}.
The ridge of Blue Mountain runs for {{convert|150|mi}} through [[Pennsylvania]], reaching an elevation of {{convert|2270|ft|m}} above sea level just north of the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]], near the borough of [[Newburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania|Newburg]]. Most of the ridgecrest, however, only reaches between {{convert|1400|and|1700|ft|m}} in elevation. The mountain's width varies from {{convert|1|to|3|mi|km}}.


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==Pennsylvania Turnpike==
==Pennsylvania Turnpike==
{{Main|Pennsylvania Turnpike}}
[[Image:Blue Mountain Tunnel portal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Blue Mountain Tunnel]] on [[Interstate 76 (Ohio–New Jersey)|Interstate 76]], May 2006]]
[[Image:Blue Mountain Tunnel portal.jpg|thumb|[[Blue Mountain Tunnel]] on [[Interstate 76 (Ohio–New Jersey)|Interstate 76]] in May 2006]]
The [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] system passes through Blue Mountain at two points:
The [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] system passes through Blue Mountain at two points:
* The [[Blue Mountain Tunnel]] carries the turnpike's east–west mainline ([[Interstate 76 (Ohio–New Jersey)|Interstate 76]]) through the ridge in northern [[Franklin County, Pennsylvania|Franklin County]]. The [[Kittatinny Mountain Tunnel]] bores through a parallel ridge of the same mountain just to the west, with the two tunnel portals only {{convert|0.2|mi|km}} apart.
* The [[Blue Mountain Tunnel]] carries the turnpike's east–west mainline ([[Interstate 76 (Ohio–New Jersey)|Interstate 76]]) through the ridge in northern [[Franklin County, Pennsylvania|Franklin County]]. The [[Kittatinny Mountain Tunnel]] bores through a parallel ridge of the same mountain just to the west, with the two tunnel portals only {{convert|0.2|mi|km}} apart.
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==Blue Mountain attractions in Pennsylvania==
==Blue Mountain attractions in Pennsylvania==
* The [[Appalachian Trail]] is concurrent with the top of the ridge from New Jersey to northern [[Lebanon County, Pennsylvania|Lebanon County]].
* [[Appalachian Trail]] is concurrent with the top of the ridge from [[New Jersey]] to northern [[Lebanon County, Pennsylvania]].
* [[Hawk Mountain Sanctuary]] is located at the very northern edge of [[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]].
* [[Blue Mountain Resort]] is found on the north face of the ridge in the southeastern corner of [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania]].
⚫
* [[Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area]] is located in [[Dauphin County, Pennsylvania]].
⚫
* [[Hawk Mountain Ranger School]], located just south of the Sanctuary, trains [[Civil Air Patrol]] members for their ground search and rescue Ranger Teams.
* [[Blue Mountain Resort]] is found on the north face of the ridge in the southeastern corner of [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]].
* [[Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area]] reaches across [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton]], [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Monroe]], and [[Pike County, Pennsylvania|Pike]] counties and into New Jersey, mostly to the northwest of the ridge.
* [[Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area]] reaches across [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton]], [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Monroe]], and [[Pike County, Pennsylvania|Pike]] counties and into New Jersey, mostly to the northwest of the ridge.
⚫
* [[Hawk Mountain Ranger School]], located just south of the Sanctuary, trains [[Civil Air Patrol]] members for their ground search and rescue Ranger Teams.
⚫
* [[Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area]] is located in [[Dauphin County, Pennsylvania|Dauphin County]]
* [[Hawk Mountain Sanctuary]] is located at the very northern edge of [[Berks County, Pennsylvania]].

⚫
[[Blue Mountain School District]] is named after the mountain range. It is located just off [[Pennsylvania Route 61|Route 61]] in [[Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania]].


==See also==
==See also==
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{{Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area}}
{{Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area}}
{{Lehigh Valley}}
{{Lehigh Valley}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Blue Mountain Ridge}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blue Mountain Ridge}}

Latest revision as of 22:10, 3 November 2024

Not to be confused with Blue Ridge Mountain (41.3628,-076.0535), a summit, also in Pennsylvania but limited to Wyoming County.[1]
For The mountain ranges in Australia, see Blue Mountains (New South Wales).
Blue Mountain[2]
Kittatinny Mountain (and nine others:
  • Blue Hills
  • Kau-ta-tin-chunk
  • Kekaghtenemin Mountain
  • Kightotinning Mountain
  • Kittachtinny Hills
  • Kittatinhy Mountain
  • Kittochtinny Hills
  • Kittochtinny Mountains
  • North Mountain)
[2][3]
The "Great Wall" of the Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania in February 2008
Highest point
PeakClarks Knob in Franklin County, Pennsylvania 2,320 feet (710 m)[4]
Elevation1,129 ft (344 m)[2]
Coordinates40°07′28″N 77°39′59″W / 40.12444°N 77.66639°W / 40.12444; -77.66639
Dimensions
Length150 mi (240 km) northeast-southwest to SSW 150 miles (240 km) (direct aerial)
255 miles (410 km) trace of ridgeline, including loops back[5]
width = varies along chain's length
Geography
Map
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
Borders on
Geology
OrogenyAppalachian Mountains
Rock ageSilurian
Rock types

Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain Ridge, or the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania is a ridge of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania. Forming the southern and eastern edge of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians physiographic province in Pennsylvania, Blue Mountain extends 150 miles (240 km) from the Delaware Water Gap on the New Jersey border in the east to Big Gap in Franklin County in south-central Pennsylvania at its southwestern end.

Views of Blue Mountain dominate the southern tier of most eastern and central Pennsylvania counties, providing an ever-visible backdrop cutting across the northern or western horizon. Most transport corridors and road beds piercing the barrier necessarily pass through large water gaps, including (west to east) the Susquehanna, Schuylkill, Lehigh and Delaware River valleys or wind gaps, low gaps in the ridge caused by ancient watercourses. The barrier ridge forms a distinct boundary between a number of Pennsylvania's geographical and cultural regions.

To the south of the Susquehanna River gap in the south-central part of the state is the Cumberland Valley, part of the Great Appalachian Valley; to its northwest side are the southern reaches of the Susquehanna Valley with picturesque streams channeling travel corridors deep into and over the central and western mountains and valleys—the heartland interior counties of Pennsylvania; along the Main Branch Susquehanna, the valleys also lead into the Coal Region of northeast Pennsylvania, the Wyoming Valley, and the distant Poconos. To the south of Blue Mountain lies the Capital Region of Harrisburg and nearby communities, the rich farming country of the Lebanon Valley and Pennsylvania Dutch Country of York and Lancaster counties, the lower half of the Lehigh Valley, and the lower Delaware Valley, both of which extend north through water gaps beyond the ridgeline.

Blue Mountain School District, which is named after the mountain range, is located just off PA Route 61 in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania.

Geography

[edit]
Blue Mountain in Moore Township in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania in February 2014

The ridge of Blue Mountain runs for 150 miles (240 km) through Pennsylvania, reaching an elevation of 2,270 feet (690 m) above sea level just north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, near the borough of Newburg. Most of the ridgecrest, however, only reaches between 1,400 and 1,700 feet (430 and 520 m) in elevation. The mountain's width varies from 1 to 3 miles (1.6 to 4.8 km).

The southwestern end of the mountain is at Big Gap, west of Shippensburg. The mountain ridge continues to the southwest toward Maryland as Broad Mountain. The northeastern end of the mountain is at the Delaware Water Gap on the New Jersey border. Mount Minsi, elevation 1,461 feet (445 m), forms the promontory overlooking the Delaware River. The ridge of Blue Mountain continues northeast into New Jersey as Kittatinny Mountain.[6]

Blue Mountain marks the boundary between the Great Appalachian Valley and the main Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians.

Water gaps

[edit]

Four of Pennsylvania's major rivers cut through Blue Mountain in water gaps:

Pennsylvania Turnpike

[edit]
Main article: Pennsylvania Turnpike
Blue Mountain Tunnel on Interstate 76 in May 2006

The Pennsylvania Turnpike system passes through Blue Mountain at two points:

Blue Mountain attractions in Pennsylvania

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Blue Ridge Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2017-03-29. Blue Ridge Mountain 1169893 Summit Wyoming PA 413628N 0760535W 1171 Meshoppen - 02-AUG-1979
  2. ^ a b c "Blue Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2009-02-07. 1193708 Name: Blue Mountain 40.1245315 -77.6663793 400728N 0773959W Roxbury
  3. ^ What's in a name, Spanning the Gap newsletter of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Summer 1984
  4. ^ "Clarks Knob". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  5. ^ Measured along ridge point by point using maps.google.com ruler tool, anchored on New Jersey border, to Maryland border., 29 March 2017.
  6. ^ U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000-scale and 1:250,000-scale topographic map series
[edit]
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