Equinox Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Equinox Mountain |
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Little Equinox Mountain in 1985
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3840+ ft (1170+ m) |
| Prominence | 3,040 ft (930 m) |
| Listing | New England Fifty Finest New England 100 Highest |
| Geography | |
| Location | Bennington County, Vermont, U.S. |
| Parent range | Taconic Range |
| Topo map | USGS Manchester |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | road |
Equinox Mountain is a tall mountain located in Bennington County, Vermont, in the United States. It stands proudly in the town of Manchester. This mountain is the highest point in the entire Taconic Range and also the highest spot in Bennington County. Equinox Mountain is one of Vermont's most important peaks, ranking third in height among mountains with a topographic prominence over 2,000 feet. It is also the second highest peak in southern Vermont, just after Stratton Mountain.
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Exploring Equinox Mountain's Geology
Equinox Mountain is part of the Taconic Range. To the north, the ridgeline continues with Mother Myrick Mountain. To the south, it becomes Red Mountain. To the west, you'll find Bennetts Ridge and Bear Mountain, which are also part of the Taconic Range.
On the east side, across the Batten Kill valley, are the Green Mountains. Water from the southeast side of Equinox Mountain flows into the Batten Kill. This river then joins the Hudson River and eventually reaches New York Harbor. Water from the northwest side of Equinox drains into the Green River, which is a tributary of the Batten Kill.
Buildings and Cool Spots on the Mountain
You can find a few interesting structures and developments on Equinox Mountain.
Radio Towers and Visitor Center
Radio station WEQX has its tower on the mountain. This is why the station's callsign is "EQX"! There used to be a hotel called the Sky Line Inn. It was taken down in 2011 to make room for a new visitor's center. This new center is called the "Saint Bruno Viewing Center."
Old Radar Station
Near the top of the mountain, you can see a small, old radar station. It was built during the Cold War for NORAD. Today, this site is used for two-way communications. The Vermont State Police use it, and another radio station, Vermont Public Radio's WVTQ, also broadcasts from here.
The Mysterious Tunnel Project
An abandoned tunnel project from the mid-1960s is located on the northwest side of the mountain. This tunnel was meant to lead to an underground storage area for cryonics. Cryonics is a process where people are placed in very cold temperatures, hoping to be brought back to life in the future. A company called Renew, Inc. had planned to preserve the bodies of several smart individuals. However, the project was quickly stopped.
Monastery and Hiking Trails
The Charterhouse of the Transfiguration monastery is also located on the slopes of Equinox Mountain. If you enjoy hiking, you'll be happy to know that there are several different trails you can use to climb the mountain.
Wind Power History on Little Equinox
Next to the main Equinox Mountain is a smaller peak called Little Equinox. This spot has been home to two different wind farms in the past.
Early Wind Turbines (1981-1989)
One wind turbine was put up in 1981, and three more were added in 1982. This made Little Equinox Mountain one of the first places in the United States to have a wind farm! These early turbines were designed by WTG Systems. They were mounted on tall towers and could produce a lot of electricity. However, they had many mechanical problems. By the mid-1980s, all four turbines stopped working. They stood idle on the mountain from 1985 to 1989.
Green Mountain Power's Project (1988-1994)
Green Mountain Power took over the site in 1988. They removed the old turbines and put up a tower to measure the wind. In 1990, they installed two new turbines. These turbines made electricity for four years. Green Mountain Power then removed their turbines and measurement tower in 1994. The company now owns a different wind farm in Searsburg, Vermont.
Future Wind Farm Plans
A company called Endless Energy Corporation is interested in building a modern wind farm on Little Equinox Mountain. They have been measuring the wind and studying the environment there. To build a wind farm in Vermont, companies need to go through a special application process called the Public Service Board's Section 248.
Images for kids
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360-degree stitched panorama from the top of Mount Equinox
