kids encyclopedia robot

List of mountains of Maine facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Maine is a beautiful state in the northeastern United States, known for its stunning coastline, vast forests, and many amazing mountains. These mountains are not just pretty to look at; they are also home to diverse wildlife and offer exciting adventures like hiking and exploring.

This article will introduce you to some of Maine's most important mountains. You will learn about their height, how much they stand out from the land around them, and where you can find them. Get ready to discover the tall peaks and hidden gems of Maine's natural landscape!

What Makes a Mountain Special?

When we talk about mountains, we often use special words to describe them.

How High is a Mountain?

The elevation of a mountain tells us how high its top, or summit, is above sea level. Imagine the ocean as a flat line; elevation measures how far up the mountain goes from that line. For example, a mountain with an elevation of 1,000 meters is 1,000 meters higher than the ocean.

How Much Does a Mountain Stand Out?

Prominence is a cool way to measure how much a mountain rises above the land around it. It is like asking, "How much does this mountain really stick up compared to all the lower land nearby?" A mountain with high prominence looks very impressive because it stands tall by itself.

How Far Away is the Next Big Mountain?

Isolation tells us how far a mountain is from another mountain that is taller than it. If a mountain has high isolation, it means it is quite lonely and far from other big peaks. This can make it feel very wild and remote.

Maine's Most Famous Mountains

Maine has many mountains, but some are especially well-known for their height, beauty, or unique features.

Mount Katahdin: Maine's Tallest Peak

Mount Katahdin is the tallest mountain in Maine. It is located in Baxter State Park and is a very special place. The highest point on Mount Katahdin is called Baxter Peak. Mount Katahdin is 1,606 meters (about 5,268 feet) tall. It has a huge prominence of 1,307 meters, meaning it really stands out! It is also very isolated, being 254.82 kilometers from the next taller peak. This makes it a truly dominant feature in Maine's landscape. Another important peak on Mount Katahdin is Hamlin Peak, which is 1,450 meters tall. Many hikers dream of climbing Mount Katahdin, as it is the northern end of the famous Appalachian Trail.

Sugarloaf Mountain: A Popular Spot

Sugarloaf Mountain is one of Maine's highest peaks and is very popular, especially for skiing in winter. It stands at 1,295 meters (about 4,249 feet) high. Its prominence is 970 meters, showing how much it rises above the surrounding area.

Old Speck Mountain: A Western Maine Giant

Old Speck Mountain is the third highest mountain in Maine. It is part of the Mahoosuc Range, which is known for its rugged trails. Old Speck Mountain reaches 1,271 meters (about 4,170 feet) in elevation. It has a prominence of 832 meters.

Crocker Mountain: A Twin Peak

Crocker Mountain is another tall peak in Maine. It actually has two main summits. The main Crocker Mountain peak is 1,289 meters (about 4,229 feet) tall. Its South Peak, sometimes called South Crocker Mountain, is 1,234 meters (about 4,049 feet) tall.

Bigelow Mountain: A Long Ridge

Bigelow Mountain is a long mountain ridge with several peaks. It is named after a famous explorer. The highest point on Bigelow Mountain is West Peak, at 1,263 meters (about 4,144 feet). Avery Peak is another notable point on Bigelow Mountain, standing at 1,247 meters (about 4,091 feet). The South Horn of Bigelow Mountain is 1,160 meters (about 3,806 feet) tall.

North Brother and South Brother

These two mountains are often climbed together and are located near Mount Katahdin. North Brother is 1,265 meters (about 4,150 feet) tall. South Brother is 1,210 meters (about 3,970 feet) tall.

Other Notable Mountains in Maine

Maine has many other interesting mountains, each with its own unique features and stories.

Mount Abraham

Mount Abraham is a beautiful mountain known for its open, alpine summit. It is 1,234 meters (about 4,049 feet) tall.

Saddleback Mountain

Saddleback Mountain is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It is 1,256 meters (about 4,121 feet) tall. Its peak called the Horn is 1,232 meters (about 4,042 feet) tall. Saddleback Junior is a nearby peak, 1,114 meters (about 3,655 feet) tall.

Cadillac Mountain: First Sunrise

Cadillac Mountain is special because it is the highest point on the United States' Atlantic coast. During certain times of the year, it is the first place in the U.S. to see the sunrise! It is 466 meters (about 1,529 feet) tall and has a prominence of 466 meters.

Boundary Bald Mountain

Boundary Bald Mountain is a tall peak in northern Maine. It is 1,109 meters (about 3,638 feet) tall.

Coburn Mountain

Coburn Mountain is another significant peak, standing at 1,133 meters (about 3,717 feet).

Elephant Mountain

There are two mountains named Elephant Mountain in Maine. One Elephant Mountain is 1,150 meters (about 3,773 feet) tall. Another Elephant Mountain is 791 meters (about 2,595 feet) tall.

Snow Mountain

Like Elephant Mountain, there are two mountains called Snow Mountain. One Snow Mountain is 1,207 meters (about 3,960 feet) tall. Another Snow Mountain is 1,153 meters (about 3,783 feet) tall.

Mount Blue

Mount Blue is a beautiful mountain that is part of a state park. It is 973 meters (about 3,192 feet) tall.

Mount Kineo

Mount Kineo is a distinctive mountain that rises sharply from the shore of Moosehead Lake. It is 545 meters (about 1,788 feet) tall.

Exploring Maine's Mountains

Maine's mountains offer incredible opportunities for outdoor activities. Many of them have trails for hiking, and in winter, some become popular ski resorts. Whether you are looking for a challenging climb or a scenic walk, Maine's mountains have something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Remember to always be safe and prepared when venturing into the mountains!

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
List of mountains of Maine Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.