Lincoln Gap (Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lincoln Gap |
|
|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,424 ft (739 m) |
| Traversed by | Lincoln Gap Road |
| Location | Lincoln (Addison County), Vermont, United States |
| Range | Green Mountains |
| Coordinates | 44°05′42″N 072°55′44″W / 44.09500°N 72.92889°W |
| Topo map | USGS Lincoln |
Lincoln Gap is a special place in the Green Mountains of Vermont, a state in the United States. It's a mountain pass, which means it's a low point or opening between mountains. This gap is located in the town of Lincoln. It's also very close to the border of another town called Warren.
Contents
Lincoln Gap: A High Mountain Pass
Lincoln Gap is the highest mountain pass in Vermont that you can drive through! It sits at an elevation of 2,424 feet (739 m) above sea level. Imagine being that high up in the mountains!
Driving Through the Gap
The road that goes through this pass is called Lincoln Gap Road. It's a scenic route, but it's important to know that this road is not cleared of snow in the winter. This means you can't drive through Lincoln Gap during the colder months.
Water Flowing from Lincoln Gap
Mountain passes are often important for how water flows. Lincoln Gap acts like a natural divide for water.
- On the east side of the gap, water flows into Lincoln Brook. This brook then joins the Mad River.
- The Mad River eventually flows into the Winooski River, which then empties into Lake Champlain.
- On the west side of the gap, water flows into Cota Brook. This brook leads to the New Haven River.
- The New Haven River then flows into Otter Creek, which also ends up in Lake Champlain.
So, water from both sides of Lincoln Gap eventually reaches Lake Champlain. From Lake Champlain, the water continues its journey north into the Richelieu River in Quebec, Canada. After that, it flows into the mighty Saint Lawrence River and finally reaches the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean.
Hiking the Long Trail
Lincoln Gap is also a popular spot for hikers. The famous Long Trail crosses right through the gap. The Long Trail is a very long hiking path, stretching for 272 miles (438 km) (438 kilometres (272 mi)) across the entire length of Vermont.
When you're at Lincoln Gap on the Long Trail, you can hike to other interesting places:
- To the south, about 3.9 miles (6.3 km) away, is Mount Grant.
- To the north, about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) away, is Mount Abraham.
- Just south of the gap, you'll find the Breadloaf Wilderness. This is a protected natural area where nature is left wild and untouched.
