Cheaha Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cheaha Mountain |
|
|---|---|
Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama, viewed from Skyway Mountainway, April 2018
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,413 ft (735 m) |
| Prominence | 1,445 ft (440 m) |
| Listing | U.S. state high point 35th |
| Geography | |
 Cheaha Mountain
Location in Alabama
|
|
| Parent range | Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians |
| Topo map | USGS Cheaha Mountain |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Devonian |
| Mountain type | Metamorphic Plateau |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Unknown |
| Easiest route | Road |
Cheaha Mountain, also called Mount Cheaha, is the highest natural point in the state of Alabama. It is located a few miles northwest of the town of Delta. You can find it inside Cheaha State Park, which has a lodge, a restaurant, and other fun things to do. The closest taller mountain is Brushy Top in Gilmer County, Georgia, about 107 miles (172 km) away.
What Makes Cheaha Mountain Special?
The very top of Cheaha Mountain has a special marker called a benchmark. This marker is in front of Bunker Tower. Bunker Tower is a stone building with an observation deck on top. This tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a group of young men who worked on public projects during the 1930s. They also built a road to the top of Cheaha, but it's now closed. This old road is called CC Road and has some interesting old structures.
Near the peak, you'll find Bald Rock. This spot has a wooden walkway that is easy for everyone to use. From Bald Rock, you get an amazing view of the land around the mountain. Cheaha Mountain became part of Cheaha State Park and opened to the public on June 7, 1939.
Why Are There Towers on the Mountain?
Cheaha Mountain is home to several towers that send out radio and TV signals. These antennas help people get their TV and radio programs. For example, Alabama Public Television has its transmitter for WCIQ TV 7 on a tall tower here. This tower is about 577 feet (176 meters) tall. It had to be rebuilt after a big ice storm in 1982 knocked down the old one.
How Was Cheaha Mountain Formed?
Cheaha Mountain is part of the Talladega Mountains. These mountains are a small part of the larger Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. This is different from other parts of the Appalachians in northern Alabama. Cheaha Mountain feels much taller than it actually is. This is because the land around it to the west is quite low. For example, the top of Cheaha Mountain is about 1,725 feet (526 meters) higher than the city of Oxford nearby.
The mountain is made of strong rocks called sandstones and conglomerates. These rocks are very old, from a time called the Devonian period. They are tough and resist erosion, which is why Cheaha Mountain stands so tall. The soil on the mountain is a brown, stony silt loam. It drains well and is very acidic.
