James River Gorge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids James River Gorge |
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Northwestern end, near Glasgow
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| Floor elevation | 640–3,073 feet (195–937 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| Region | Mid-Atlantic |
| River | James River |
The James River Gorge is a special place in Central Virginia. It's like a giant cut in the mountains made by the James River. This amazing gorge is about 9.3 miles (15.0 km) long. It's also very deep, dropping 2,433 feet (742 m) from Highcock Knob (which is 3,073 feet (937 m) high) down to the river (at 640 feet (200 m)).
The James River starts in western Virginia, near West Virginia. It flows south through the Allegheny Mountains. Then it turns northeast near the Blue Ridge Mountains by Buchanan, Virginia. The river follows the Blue Ridge Mountains until it meets the Maury River near Glasgow. From there, it turns southeast and flows through the James River Gorge.
What Makes the James River Gorge Special?
The James River Gorge is a type of water gap. This means a river has cut through a mountain range. The rocks in the gorge are very old. They are metamorphic rocks, which means they changed over time due to heat and pressure. The oldest rocks here are from the Proterozoic Era. This era ended about 541 million years ago.
The Mountains Around the Gorge
To the south of the river, you can see the tall peaks of the James River Face Wilderness. To the north, Big Rocky Row and Little Rocky Row Mountains stand high. These mountains create a dramatic view of the river far below.
Exploring the Gorge
Many trails go through the James River Gorge. These trails offer amazing views of the scenery. You can see beautiful sights from the river level. You can also hike up to the peaks for wider views. The famous Appalachian Trail is one of the paths that goes through this area.
