Bearfort Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bearfort Mountain |
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Bearfort Ridge | |
![]() Bearfort Mountain (left), Bellvale Mountain (right)
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Highest point | |
Peak | Bearfort Mountain |
Elevation | 1,479 ft (451 m) |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | New Jersey |
Geology | |
Age of rock | Devonian |
Type of rock | Skunnemunk Conglomerate |
Bearfort Mountain, also known as Bearfort Ridge, is a cool mountain area in New Jersey. It's located near Wawayanda State Park in a town called West Milford. This mountain is part of a longer ridge that stretches into New York state, where it's known as Bellvale Mountain.
If you love hiking, you'll be interested to know that the famous Appalachian Trail actually crosses right along this mountain ridge. It's a great spot for adventurers!
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Discover Bearfort Mountain
Bearfort Mountain is a long, narrow mountain ridge. It's sometimes called Bear Ford Mountain, which is its older name. The mountain is found in Passaic County, New Jersey. It connects to another mountain called Bellvale Mountain, which is just over the border in New York.
This area is known for its unique rocks. You can see a special type of rock called puddingstone along the ridge. This rock is part of something geologists call the Skunnemunk Conglomerate. It's a type of rock made from many different pebbles cemented together, looking a bit like a fruit pudding!
The Fire Tower and Amazing Views
One of the most interesting features on Bearfort Mountain is a tall fire lookout tower. This tower stands about 68 feet (21 m) high. It was built by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. From the top of the tower, you can see incredible views of the surrounding area.
The tower is located at an elevation of about 1,331 feet (406 m). Fire towers like this one are very important. They help forest rangers spot wildfires quickly. This helps protect our forests and the animals that live there.
Art and History on the Mountain
Bearfort Mountain has even inspired artists! In 1850, a famous American landscape artist named Jasper Francis Cropsey painted a picture of the mountain. Cropsey was part of a group of artists called the Hudson River School. They were known for their beautiful paintings of nature.
His painting shows how beautiful and wild the mountain looked many years ago. It helps us see how people viewed this natural wonder in the past.