Massanutten Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Massanutten Mountain |
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View of Massanutten Mountain from the east, looking west from Hawksbill Peak, with Luray in the foreground and the Great North Mountain in the background. August 2007.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,922 ft (891 m) |
| Geography | |
 Massanutten Mountain
Location in Virginia
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| Parent range | Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Synclinal Ridge |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Drive |
Massanutten Mountain is a long, narrow mountain range in Virginia, U.S.. It is part of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. This mountain is located near the West Virginia state line. It is known for its unique shape, which is like a giant U-shape in the ground.
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Exploring Massanutten Mountain
Massanutten Mountain is a special place for nature and outdoor fun. It cuts through the middle of the Shenandoah Valley. The mountain stretches from Strasburg in the north to its highest point near Harrisonburg in the south.
Mountain Sections
The mountain is split into two main parts: a northern section and a southern section. These two parts are separated by a pass called New Market Gap.
- The northern section has three ridges that run side-by-side. These ridges create two valleys. The larger valley is known as Fort Valley. The smaller one is called Little Fort Valley. All these ridges meet up at New Market Gap.
- The southern section has many ridges that are very close together. Deep, narrow gorges (like small canyons) separate these ridges.
Surrounding Areas
On the eastern side of Massanutten Mountain, you will find the Page Valley. Beyond that are the Blue Ridge Mountains. To the west, you can see the North-Central Shenandoah Valley. Further west is the Great North Mountain, which is part of the Allegheny Mountains.
Fun Things to Do
Most of Massanutten Mountain is part of the George Washington National Forest. This forest offers many outdoor activities for visitors.
- Hiking Trails: The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club takes care of the Massanutten Trail. They also maintain other hiking paths in the forest.
- Popular Spots: Signal Knob, a former signal station from the American Civil War, is a favorite place to visit.
- ATV Trails: The forest service also has trails for ATVs.
- Resort Fun: In 1971, the Massanutten Mountain ski resort opened. This resort is a popular place for skiing in winter. It also offers fun activities all year round.
Animals and Plants
Massanutten Mountain is home to a variety of wildlife and beautiful plants.
Amazing Animals
You might see many different animals living on the mountain. These include:
Wonderful Plants
The mountain also has many interesting plants and flowers. Some of these are:
- Mayapple
- Bluets
- Wild lupine
- Cardinal flower
- Pinxter flower
Mountain's History in Rocks
The rocks of Massanutten Mountain tell a story about its past. The main rock type is Silurian Massanutten Sandstone. This sandstone sits on top of older rocks called the Ordovician Martinsburg Formation. Over time, softer rocks eroded away. This caused the sandstone to break and slide, forming piles of broken rocks called talus slopes. The Massanutten Sandstone is folded into a large U-shape, and you can see it at the top of the ridges.
Peaks of Massanutten Mountain
Massanutten Mountain is made up of several peaks and smaller mountains. Some of these include:
- Massanutten Peak
- Green Mountain
- Three Top Mountain
- Powell Mountain
- Little Crease Mountain
- Short Mountain
- Mertins Rock
- Bowman Mountain
- Kerns Mountain
- Catback Mountain
- Waterfall Mountain
- First Mountain
- Second Mountain
- Third Mountain
- Fourth Mountain
