New Creek Mountain facts for kids

Saddle Mountain, part of New Creek Mountain, seen at sunrise from Skyline on U.S. Route 50 in West Virginia

New Creek Mountain is a long, narrow mountain ridge in West Virginia, U.S.. It stretches across parts of Grant and Mineral counties. The mountain gets its name from New Creek, a stream that starts and flows along its western side.

What is New Creek Mountain?

New Creek Mountain is part of a larger group of mountains called the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians. These mountains are known for their long, parallel ridges and valleys. New Creek Mountain is also connected to something called the Wills Mountain Anticline. An anticline is like a giant fold in the Earth's rock layers, shaped like an arch. Another mountain, Knobly Mountain, is located right next to New Creek Mountain on its eastern side.

Where is it Located?

To the west of New Creek Mountain, you'll find the Allegheny Front. This is a steep rise in the land that marks the edge of a high plateau. It's like a big step up in the landscape. The entire New Creek Mountain is surrounded by cliffs made of a type of rock called Oriskany (Ridgeley) sandstone. These cliffs form a ring around the mountain.

New Creek Mountain near Claysville, West Virginia, around 1908

Special Features of the Mountain

Saddle Mountain's Unique Shape

One interesting part of New Creek Mountain is a section called Saddle Mountain. If you look at it from the Skyland Overlook on U.S. 50, you'll see that it has a dip in its top ridge. This dip makes it look like a saddle, which is how it got its name.

The Amazing Cliffs

New Creek Mountain also has some very impressive cliffs. These are known as the New Creek Mountain Cliffs. They are about 800 feet (240 meters) high! These cliffs form a huge crack or "cleft" in the mountain. This cleft is so big and impressive that some people say it's as grand as the famous Franconia Notch in New England.