Beaucatcher Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaucatcher Mountain |
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 Beaucatcher Mountain
Location in North Carolina
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,694 ft (821 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Buncombe County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Parent range | Blue Ridge Mountains Great Craggy Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Asheville |
Beaucatcher Mountain is a cool spot located in Asheville, North Carolina. It's part of the huge Appalachian Mountains range, specifically a section called the Great Craggy Mountains. This mountain has a fun story behind its name!
Back in the mid-1800s, a man named James W. Patton saw his sister-in-law, Charlotte Kerry, walking on the mountainside with her boyfriend, or "beau." Patton joked that she was so eager to walk the mountain just to spend time with her beau. So, he started calling it Charlotte's "beau catcher," and the name stuck!
Exploring Beaucatcher Mountain
Beaucatcher Mountain stands tall at 2,694 feet (which is about 821 meters) above sea level. From its top, you can get amazing views of Downtown Asheville. The mountain sits right on the eastern edge of downtown Asheville.
Getting Around the Mountain
Even though it's a mountain, it's easy to get around or through Beaucatcher Mountain. There are three main ways to cross it:
- Beaucatcher Tunnel: This tunnel was finished in 1927. It carries two important roads, US 70 and US 74A, right through the mountain.
- Beaucatcher Cut: Built in 1980, this is a large "cut" or trench that goes through the mountain. It's where I-240 runs, helping cars travel quickly.
- Town Mountain Road: This road (NC 694) goes over the mountain. It leads towards the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a scenic road through the mountains.
Water on the Mountain
Long ago, Beaucatcher Mountain was important for Asheville's drinking water. It had two reservoirs, which are like big storage tanks for water.
- White Fawn Reservoir: This one is no longer used. It was filled in a long time ago.
- Lake Kenilworth: This reservoir also helped provide drinking water to Asheville starting in the 1880s.
Today, any water that flows off Beaucatcher Mountain eventually makes its way to the French Broad River.
