Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1716x1139, 202 KB) Blue Knob Mountain, 3,146 ft. ... A topographical summit is a point on a surface which is higher in elevation than all points immediately adjacent to it. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... For exotic financial options, see Mountain range (options). ... The Allegheny Mountain Range (also spelled Alleghany and Allegany) -- informally, the Alleghenies -- is part of the Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States. ... In topography, prominence, also known as autonomous height, relative height or shoulder drop (in America) or prime factor (in Europe), is a concept used in the categorization of hills and mountains, also known as peaks. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... // Topographic maps are a variety of maps characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines in modern mapping, but historically using a variety of methods. ... InsertSLUTTY WHORES≤ non-formatted text here{| class=toccolours border=1 cellpadding=4 style=float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width: 20em; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; clear: right; |+ United States Geological Survey |- |style= align=center colspan=2| [[Image:USGS logo. ... In climbing, a first ascent (FA) is the first climb to reach the top of a mountain, or the first to follow a particular climbing route. ... Southern and northern Mount Everest climbing routes as seen from the International Space Station. ...

Geography

Blue Knob is a peak in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania in the United States at 3,146 feet (959 m) above sea level. This mountain is distinctive in that its broad dome dominates the countryside. Blue Knob is the most northern of the 3,000 footers in the Allegheny Mountain range. Until 1921, Blue Knob was believed to be the highest mountain in the Commonwealth. The U.S. Geological Survey then determined that a point on Negro Mountain, in Somerset County, to be higher at 3,213 feet (979 m), later named Mount Davis. The Allegheny Mountain Range (also spelled Alleghany and Allegany) -- informally, the Alleghenies -- is part of the Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency of the United States government. ... Somerset County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. ... Mount Davis is the highest mountain in Pennsylvania, located in the 5,685 acre (23. ...

A portion of the mountain lies within the Blue Knob State Park, which covers 5,874 acres (24 km²) and contains approximately 18 miles (29 km) of hiking trails and numerous overlooks. A ski area is located on the mountain's north slopes. Blue Knob State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ...

The towns of Johnstown, Altoona and Bedford are located within 25 miles (40 km) of the mountain. The towns of Pavia and Claysburg lay at the foot of the mountain. Nickname: Location of Pennsylvania within the USA Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Coordinates: , Country State County Cambria Government  - Mayor Tom Trigona Area  - City  6. ... Altoona is a city in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Bedford is a borough located in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. ... Pavia Township is a township located in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. ... Claysburg is a census-designated place (CDP) in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. ...

Geology

The geology of Blue Knob is what gave the mountain its isolated position, separated from the rest of the Allegheny Front escarpment. The lower base of the mountain is made up of siltstone and shale of the Devonian Catskill Formation and the Devonian-Mississippian Rockwell Formation. The upper slopes and summit are made up of the buff-colored Mississippian Burgoon Formation of sandstone and conglomerate, which is far more resistant to weathering than the underlying shale and siltstone. The rocks near the summit have a bluish-green appearance, giving Blue Knob its name. This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The Allegheny Front is an escarpment delineating the eastern edge of the Allegheny Mountains. ... In geology, an escarpment is a transition zone between different physiogeographic provinces that involves an elevation differential, often involving high cliffs. ... Siltstone Siltstone is a geological term for a sedimentary rock whose composition is intermediate in grain size between the coarser sandstone and the finer mudstone. ... Shale Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock whose original constituents were clays or muds. ... For the Celtic language, see Southwestern Brythonic language; for the residents of the English county, see Devon. ... For the Celtic language, see Southwestern Brythonic language; for the residents of the English county, see Devon. ... This article is about the geologic period; for the North American culture, see Mississippian culture. ... A summit is: Summit (topography), a point higher than all the ground immediately surrounding it; the highest point of a hill or mountain Route summit, the highest point on a transportation route crossing high ground Summit (meeting), a meeting of heads of state or other leaders Summit may also refer... This article is about the geologic period; for the North American culture, see Mississippian culture. ... Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ... A conglomerate with iron oxide cementing material Conglomerate, Submarine Landslide located at Point Reyes, Marin County California. ... Shale Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock whose original constituents were clays or muds. ... Siltstone Siltstone is a geological term for a sedimentary rock whose composition is intermediate in grain size between the coarser sandstone and the finer mudstone. ...

The satellite peaks of Blue Knob include: Herman Point 3,034 feet (925 m), Spruce Knob 2,475 feet (754 m), Round Knob 2,791 feet (851 m), Cattle Knob 2,842 feet (866 m), Pine Knob 2,704 feet (824 m), Ritchey Knob 2,865 feet (873 m) and Schaefer Head 2,950 feet (899 m) Pine Knob is a peak in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. ... Schaefer Head is a 2,950 feet (899 m) mountain in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania in the United States. ...

These peaks along with Blue Knob form a grouping of mountains that stand out as a spur from the rest of the Allegheny Front and form some of the highest elevations in Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains. The Allegheny Front is an escarpment delineating the eastern edge of the Allegheny Mountains. ... The Allegheny Mountain Range (also spelled Alleghany and Allegany) -- informally, the Alleghenies -- is part of the Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States. ...

Summit

Blue Knob's summit was once used as a location for an Air Force long-range radar station, known as the Claysburg AFS, during the early years of the Cold War in the 1950s. The 772nd AC&W Squadron was the unit located at the facility and lived in the barracks on the summit of the mountain. The station was deactivated in 1961 and shortly after the Blue Knob Ski area was developed. Signs from the former station are still noticeable on the summit as one of the buildings was converted for use as a ski lodge. The remaining buildings and structures, including a fire lookout tower have been removed. For a particular Air Force, see List of air forces. ... This long range radar antenna, known as ALTAIR, is used to detect and track space objects in conjunction with ABM testing at the Ronald Reagan Test Site on the Kwajalein atoll. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... A USFS fire lookout on Bald Mountain in Butte County, California. ...

The area was cleared of vegetation during the time of the radar installation and thus remains as a bald summit. Today ski lifts, a ski lodge and a couple of maintenance structures occupy the broad summit of Blue Knob. There are also a few ski chalets located just down from the summit area.

The views from the summit on a clear day are extensive. Views to the north include; Brush Mountain (17 miles), Schaefer Head (2.5 miles) and the other satellite peaks listed above, the Allegheny Front, The "Loop" in Tussey Mountain (27 miles) and Lock Mountain (13 miles). Brush Mountain is a stratigraphic ridge in central Pennsylvania, United States, running east of the Allegheny Front and west of Tussey Mountain. ... Schaefer Head is a 2,950 feet (899 m) mountain in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania in the United States. ...

To the east the views are of Dunning Mountain (7 miles), Tussey Mountain (16 miles), Jacks Mountain with Butler Knob (31 miles), Sideling Hill (28 miles), and on the distant horizon Big Mountain (41 miles) and the Tuscarora Ridge. To the south; Wills Mountain (32 miles), Savage Mountain (28 miles) and Bald Knob on the Allegheny Front (20 miles). The town of Bedford is hidden by Kinton Knob (18 miles). Tussey Mountain is a stratigraphic ridge in central Pennsylvania, United States, running east of the Bald Eagle Brush, Dunning and Evitts Mountain ridges. ... Butler Knob is a peak on the Jacks Mountain ridge in south central Pennsylvania in the United States. ... Sideling Hill is part of the Allegheny Mountains of the Appalachian Mountain Range. ... Big Mountain are an American Reggae band, most famous for the song Baby I Love Your Way. Their Pop-Reggae Style has earned them the label The American UB40. Categories: Musical group stubs | Reggae musical groups ... Wills Mountain is located in Allegany County, Maryland and Somerset County, Pennsylvania in the United States; Wills Mountain starts 1/2 mile west of mouth of Warrior Run and runs northeasterly into Pennsylvania; Its highest elevation in Maryland is 1,877. ...

The views west include Laurel Ridge and the Conemaugh Gorge (22 miles) and the Allegheny Plateaus.

West aspect of Blue Knob, which receives the brunt of prevailing winds (photo taken from meadow at 2,400 ft.)

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 851 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The west face of Blue Knob Photo by: Joe Calzarette Date: May 2007 ‹ The template below (PD-self) is being considered for deletion. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 851 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The west face of Blue Knob Photo by: Joe Calzarette Date: May 2007 ‹ The template below (PD-self) is being considered for deletion. ...

Climate

Blue Knob is infamous for its wind and snowy conditions. The state record snowfall was recorded on the mountain at 225 inches during the winter of 1890-91. In the month of December 1890, 86 inches fell on the mountain alone. Average snowfall is about 12 feet annually, while temperatures usually are 10 to 12 degrees cooler than in the surrounding towns.

Blue Knob's weather can be attributed to its aspect and elevation. The mountain rises approximately 500 + feet above the plateaus to the west. The prevailing winds hit the mountain's slopes, accelerating up and over its bald summit. It is these conditions that can cause wind chill factors to dip below zero during the winter months. Aspect is a piece of information about a topic, usually on look and appearance. ... The prevailing winds are the trends in speed and direction of wind over a particular point on the earths surface. ... Wind chill is the apparent temperature felt on the exposed human (or animal) body due to the combination of air temperature and wind speed. ...

Looking down the Big Lick Branch drainage from the upper slopes of Blue Knob

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Drainages

The mountain has many springs that flow out of it and streams that run down its hollows. A few of the major streams are Big Lick Branch, Rhodes Run, Pavia Run, Deep Hollow Run, Scubgrass Creek, Beaverdam Creek and Little Beaverdam Creek. Bob's Creek which is in the valley below the mountain is a "Class A" trout stream and popular among local fisherman. Adjacent to the mountain on the Allegheny Front are Big Break Hollow and Wallacks Branch, portions of these streams are located within the State Park boundary. Bobs Creek is a tributary of Dunning Creek in south west/south central Pennsylvania in the United States. ...

Vegetation

On the lower slopes of the mountain along the streams, Eastern Hemlock can still be found, Pennsylvania's state tree. The drier east and southeast face of the mountain is predominately Red and White oak and maple mix, with grapevines and some exotic invasive species where there are holes in the canopy. While the north and western face of the mountain contain Tulip poplar, American Beech and other associated hardwoods due to the richer soils. The upper slopes of the mountain have Black Cherry, Striped Maple, Scrub Oak and a forest floor of Blueberry and Fern. Over the 3,000 foot contour the trees are distinctively stunted due to the winds and fierce weather. Species Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl. ... Binomial name Fagus grandifolia Ehrenb. ... Binomial name Prunus serotina Ehrh. ... Binomial name Acer pensylvanicum L. The Striped Maple or Moosewood (Acer pensylvanicum) is a small tree of northern forests in eastern North America from southern Ontario east to New Brunswick and south to eastern Illinois and New Jersey, and also at high elevations in the Appalachian Mountains much farther south... // Genus Quercus Subgenus Quercus Typical oaks. ... For other uses, see Blueberry (disambiguation). ... Classes Psilotopsida Equisetopsida Marattiopsida Pteridopsida (Polypodiopsida) this dnt make sense A fern is any one of a group of about 20,000 species of plants classified in the phylum or division Pteridophyta, also known as Filicophyta. ...

In September 2004, during Hurricane Ivan, strong winds called derechos streamed through the saddle between Herman Point and Blue Knob, leveling trees on the ridges that abut the mountain. Many of the larger trees were blown down like match sticks, opening great holes in the forest canopy. The park conducted salvage efforts to remove wood from the park and reopen trails and camp areas. Lowest pressure 910 mbar (hPa) Damage $19. ... A derecho is a widespread and long-lived, violent convectively induced windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms usually taking the form of a bow echo. ...

Salvage operation after 2004 wind storm

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Wildlife

Wildlife is abundant on the slopes of Blue Knob. Species such as white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, turkey, coyote, porcupine and fox are difficult to see but finding their tracks in the snow is not uncommon. Black bear is another resident on the mountain and are more likely to be seen during the early morning and evening hours. Red-tailed hawks, warblers, vireos and songbirds are found here throughout the seasons. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Binomial name Zimmermann, 1780 The White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), also known as the Virginia deer, or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer found throughout most of the continental United States, southern Canada, Mexico, Central America and northern portions of South America as far south as Peru. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) The Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, is a medium-sized grouse occurring in forests across Canada and the Appalachian and northern United States including Alaska. ... For other uses, see Coyote (disambiguation). ... This article is about the rodent mammal. ... This article is about the animal. ... Binomial name Ursus americanus The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus), also known as simply the black bear or cinnamon bear, is the most common bear in North America. ... Binomial name Buteo jamaicensis (Gmelin, 1788) The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a large Buteo which breeds from western Alaska and northern Canada to Panama and the West Indies. ... There are three groups of passerine birds, order Passeriformes, which are called warblers. ...

Adjacent to the State Park is the 11,926 acre (48 km²) Pennsylvania State Game Lands No. 26. This area combined with the park is an area over 17,000 acres (69 km²) of public land. There are a few areas in Blue Knob State Park which are closed to hunting (see park map). Hikers need to be extremely careful during the hunting season in late November and through December. The Pennsylvania State Game Lands are lands managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission for hunting, trapping, and fishing. ...

Hiking

Blue Knob contains a vast network of hiking trails that range from easy walks to difficult and challenging day hikes. The total network of trails is approximately 18 miles in length. Most of these trails are multiple use for hiking, cross country skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling. Below is a brief description of each trail that can be found on the mountain. Cross-country skiing (aka XC skiing) is an adventure and fitness activity as well as a competitive winter sport popular in many countries with large snowfields, primarily in Europe and Canada. ... Mountain biker riding in the Arizona desert. ... A snowmobile tour at Yellowstone National Park (NPS Photo) A snowmobile is a land vehicle propelled by one or two rubber tracks, with skis for steering. ...

View from the Pavia overlook

Mountain View Trail Image File history File linksMetadata Pavia_overlook. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Pavia_overlook. ...

This trail is 5 miles in length and one of the more difficult on the mountain. It is marked with a double red blaze and the trailhead can be found on the Tower Road just below the summit. The Mountain View Trail begins at about the 3,000 ft. contour and begins by looping around a gentle grade on the upper portion of the mountain's east shoulder. This part of the mountain is marked by stunted and wind deformed trees, mainly scrub oak and striped maple. Also large slabs of the conglomerate rocks that form this mountain may be seen strewn about on these upper slopes. This trail passes two lookouts, the Pavia and Queen before desending into the Beaverdam Creek drainage and the lowest portion of this trail at the 2,000 ft. contour. The trail then traverses the east face of the mountain to the Willow Springs picnic area before it begins its steep ascent on the west face of the mountain and back to the trailhead. // Genus Quercus Subgenus Quercus Typical oaks. ... Binomial name Acer pensylvanicum L. The Striped Maple or Moosewood (Acer pensylvanicum) is a small tree of northern forests in eastern North America from southern Ontario east to New Brunswick and south to eastern Illinois and New Jersey, and also at high elevations in the Appalachian Mountains much farther south...

Three Springs Trail

Three Springs Trail trail is 2 miles in length and follows and old roadbed. The trail is wide and good for snowmobiles and horseback riding. This trail can be accessed from the Mountain View Trail at about the 3,050 ft. contour and generally runs downslope before it bisects the east face, and ends at the 2,500 ft. contour where it junctions once again with the Mountain View Trail. Along its length you can see how the trail got its name by the number of springs that are used for supplying water to the villages below the mountain.

Rock N' Ridge Trail

The trail begins at the 1,550 ft. contour just above the gated entrance to the park headquarters. It is 2.8 miles in length and marked by an inverted blue "T". The trail is located on the west side of the mountain and begins by following a ridge that abuts the main dome of the mountain. On this trail you may see mountain laurel which is the Pennsylvania State Flower. When the mountain laurel blooms in June it makes for a very scenic hike. The trail eventually junctions into the Sawmill Trail at the 2,400 ft. contour, before this however, the trail has a turnoff which will descend down the Pavia Run drainage and end at the Mowry Hollow Picinc Area. Binominal name Kalmia latifolia L. Mountain-laurel is the common name of Kalmia latifolia a flowering shrub of the family Ericaceae Found in the eastern USA, this is a poisonous broad-leaved (3-12 cm long, 1-4 cm wide) evergreen shrub, between 3-9 m tall. ...

Sawmill Trail

The Sawmill Trail crosses the west face of the mountain and is 3 miles in length marked by yellow blazes. This is another wide trail that follows an old roadbed and is conducive to snowmobiles and mountain biking. The trailheads are located at either end of the trail off the Knob Road or on State Route 403 on Ickes Hill. If you begin on Ickes Hill, you will begin ascending the southwest buttress of the mountain to the Willow Springs Picinic Area at the 2,250 ft. contour. From there you will navigate shortly on the Mountain View Trail before you again pick up the Sawmill Trail. The trail moves across the hollows of the mountain at approximately the 2,400 ft. contour before it ends at that north end of Chappel Field and the trail head on the Knob Road. This hike takes you through rich hardwoods and passes over mountain seeps which drain from the upper slopes of the mountain, it is one of the easier hikes in the park.

Homestead Trail

This trail is a small loop at 1.8 miles in length and marked by orange blazes. The Homestead Trail may be gained by access off the Whysong Road or by a connector trail off the Sawmill Trail. The hike is on the lower portions of the mountain and only gains to the 2,100 ft. contour. The trail is easy and wide open and as its name suggests, marks the site of an old settlers house site. Hiking along this pathway affords good opportunities for viewing wildlife.

Chappell's Field Trail

The Chappell's Field Trail is accessible at points on the Knob Road and campground areas. The trail is located on one of the main ridges that are found on the west side of the mountain. On the top of this ridge, which is over 2,400 ft., Chapell's Field holds one of the best views in the park as it looks up at the main summit of Blue Knob and down on the valley below. The trail encircles the top of this ridge and is 2.5 miles in length, a loop marked by inverted orange "V" blazes.

Crist Ridge Trail

The 1.9 mile orange blazed trail connects to the Chappell's Field Trail at the 2,250 ft. contour and winds its way down the ridge ending on the Knob Road. This trail had large areas of blowdowns on it following the wind events in September 2004. Since then the trail has been cleared and is a good trail for mountain biking and cross country skiing. In the winter with the foliage down, views of Blue Knob Mountain can be seen through the trees. “Foliage” redirects here. ...

The high summit is Herman Point (3,034 ft.) where the Lost Turkey Trail begins.

Lost Turkey Trail Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2272 × 1704 pixel, file size: 1. ...

This is the longest and most difficult trail at 26 miles long. The trail begins on 3,034 foot Herman Point and is marked by red blazes. The trail crosses over both public and private lands as it eventually ends in neighboring Somerset County. To begin this hike you must proceed up the Tower Road and pass by the gated road which leads to Herman Point and the transmitter towers on its summit. Just behind the fenced in towers, you can see the trail which proceeds down the steep face of the mountain into the Rhodes Run drainage. From here the trail follows Ciana Run before crossing Hogback ridge, then beginning its steep ascent up Forks Ridge and the Allegheny Front beyond. Once on top of the Allegheny Plateau it winds its way through high elevation forests and mountain bogs. Proper footwear is recommended for this hike as it is steep in some areas and stream crossings are required along its length. Antenna tower of Crystal Palace transmitter, London A transmitter (sometimes abbreviated XMTR) is an electronic device which with the aid of an antenna propagates an electromagnetic signal such as radio, television, or other telecommunications. ... Map of the Allegheny plateau. ... Virgin boreal acid bogs at Browns Lake Bog, Ohio A bog is a wetland type that accumulates peat, a deposit of dead plant material. ...

Connector Trails

There are several connector trails that make up the remaining mileage on Blue Knob's trails system. They are double blue blazed markings and vary in length and difficulty.

References

• Latitude and Longitude from Topozone. Topzone.com.

• Blue Knob State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Alan R. Geyer (1979) "Outstanding Geologic Features of Pennsylvania", Geological Survey of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) This department was established on July 1, 1995. ...

Charles H. Shultz (1999) "The Geology of Pennsylvania", Geological Survey of Pennsylvania ISBN 0-8182-0227-0

Jere Martin (1997) "Pennsylvania Almanac" published by: Stackpole Books ISBN 0-8117-2880-3

External links

• Peakbagger.com
• Current conditions at Blue Knob
• Topographic map of Blue Knob
• Blue Knob at Peakware.com
• Blue Knob at Summitpost.org
• Aerial photo by Terra Server