Black Mountain (Kentucky) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Mountain |
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| Katahrin's Mountain | |
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Black Mountain, April 2010
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,145 ft (1,263 m) |
| Prominence | 1,905 ft (581 m) |
| Listing | U.S. state high point 27th |
| Geography | |
 Black Mountain
Location in Kentucky
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| Parent range | Cumberland Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Benham |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | unknown |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Black Mountain is the tallest mountain peak in the state of Kentucky, United States. Its top is 4,145 feet (1,263 m) above sea level. From its base to its top, the mountain is over 2,500 feet (760 m) high.
The very top of Black Mountain is in Harlan County, Kentucky. It is close to the border with Virginia. The towns of Lynch, Kentucky, and Appalachia, Virginia, are just below it. Black Mountain is also known as Katahrin's Mountain. It stands about 500 feet (150 m) taller than any other mountain in Kentucky.
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Exploring Black Mountain
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You can reach Black Mountain by following Kentucky Route 160. This road goes east from Lynch and west from Appalachia. To get to the very top, you turn onto a small road at the Kentucky-Virginia border. This is the highest point of Route 160.
What You'll Find at the Top
The small road leads past a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar dome. This dome helps air traffic controllers track airplanes. A bit further, a one-lane dirt road turns off to the left. This road takes you right to the mountain's summit.
At the top, you will see an old metal fire lookout tower. It used to help spot forest fires, but now it's abandoned. There are also several radio towers and buildings for sending signals. A special marker called a National Geodetic Survey benchmark is on a large rock nearby. This marker helps mapmakers know the exact height of the land.
Amazing Views
Near the summit, trees have been cleared around the FAA radar dome. This gives you clear views of other mountains. On a sunny day, you might even see the Great Smoky Mountains. They are far away on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.
Black Mountain's History
Black Mountain has a strong connection to coal mining in the area. The town of Lynch, Kentucky, was once a very big coal mining town.
Protecting the Mountain
In 1998, a mining company wanted to use a method called "mountaintop removal" nearby. This mining method changes the shape of mountains. Many people were worried because Black Mountain is Kentucky's highest point.
In 1999, the state of Kentucky bought the rights to the mountain's land and trees. This stopped large-scale mining from happening on the summit. This was an important step to protect the mountain for everyone.
A coal company used to own the summit. They allowed people to visit if they signed a paper. But now, the Commonwealth of Kentucky owns the land. This means no special permission is needed to visit.
Nature on Black Mountain
Black Mountain is special because it has a rare type of forest. This is called a Northern Hardwood Forest. You usually find these forests in cooler, northern areas. Many unusual plants grow here, like Red Elderberry and Hobblebush.
Like many forests in the Southern Appalachia region, Black Mountain has seen fires. A big fire happened in the fall of 1896, after a lot of trees had been cut down.
