List of mountains and hills of Kitsap County, Washington facts for kids
Kitsap County in Washington State is home to many beautiful natural areas, including several mountains and hills. This article will tell you about some of the tallest and most interesting peaks in the county, especially those found in the Blue Hills. Knowing about these mountains helps us understand the geography of Kitsap County.
Contents
Exploring Kitsap County's Mountains
The Blue Hills: Home to Tall Peaks
The tallest mountains and hills in Kitsap County are found in a region called the Blue Hills. These hills are located near Wildcat Lake and the city of Bremerton. When we talk about the Blue Hills, we usually mean the area around Green Mountain and Gold Mountain. These areas are not strictly defined, but they are where the highest points are.
What Do These Mountain Words Mean?
When we talk about mountains, you might hear some special words. Here's what they mean:
- Elevation: This is how high a mountain is from sea level. It tells you how far up from the ocean's surface the peak reaches.
- Prominence: This measures how much a mountain sticks up from the land around it. Imagine if you filled all the valleys around a mountain with water until only its peak was showing; the prominence is how high that peak would be above the water.
- Isolation: This tells you how far away the nearest taller mountain is. It shows how "alone" a peak is.
- USGS Quadrangle: This is a specific section of a map made by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). These maps help us locate mountains.
- LIDAR: This is a modern way to map the Earth's surface using lasers. It creates very detailed maps that can show the exact height of hills and mountains.
The Tallest Mountains in Kitsap County
Here are some of the most important mountains and hills in Kitsap County, listed by how high they are:
Gold Mountain: The Highest Point
The tallest mountain in Kitsap County is Gold Mountain. It stands at 1,761 feet (about 537 meters) above sea level. Gold Mountain is part of the Blue Hills and is the highest point in all of Kitsap County. It's a very prominent peak, meaning it stands out quite a bit from the land around it.
Green Mountain: Close to Gold Mountain
Right next to Gold Mountain is Green Mountain, which is 1,710 feet (about 521 meters) tall. It's the second-highest peak in the county and also part of the Blue Hills. Green Mountain is a popular spot for outdoor activities, like hiking and mountain biking.
Kitsap Lookout: A Great Viewpoint
Kitsap Lookout is another important peak in the Blue Hills, reaching 1,370 feet (about 418 meters) high. While it might not be as famous as Gold Mountain or Green Mountain, it offers great views. Sometimes, smaller peaks like this are not officially named on all maps, but they are still important landmarks.
Other Notable Hills
Kitsap County has many other hills, even if they are not as tall as Gold Mountain. For example, there's an unnamed hill near Apex Airport that is 525 feet tall. Another interesting one is Toe Jam Hill on Bainbridge Island, which is 425 feet (about 130 meters) high. Toe Jam Hill is the highest point on Bainbridge Island. The exact height of some hills, like Toe Jam Hill, can be measured differently depending on the mapping technology used, with newer LIDAR maps sometimes showing slightly different elevations than older surveys.
