Northfield Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northfield Mountain |
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Map showing ridgeline and pumped-storage hydroelectric reservoir
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,206 ft (368 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Erving and Northfield, Massachusetts |
| Parent range | Upper Bald Hills |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 400 million years |
| Mountain type | Metamorphic rock |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Metacomet-Monadnock Trail |
Northfield Mountain is a cool mountain ridge in Erving and Northfield, Massachusetts. It stands about 1,206 feet (368 meters) tall. This mountain is about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long and 1.8 miles (2.9 km) wide.
Northfield Mountain has several different peaks and rocky cliffs. Some of the most famous spots are Rattlesnake Mountain, also called Farley Ledge, and Rose Ledges. The highest point is Hermit Mountain. There's also a special power plant and a big water reservoir on top of the mountain.
A long hiking path called the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail goes right over the top of Northfield Mountain. You can also find many shorter hiking trails here. People enjoy cross-country skiing and rock climbing on the mountain's ledges. Northfield Mountain is located where the Connecticut River and Millers River meet. You can even see a beautiful waterfall, Briggs Brook Falls, on its southeast side.
How Northfield Mountain Makes Electricity
Northfield Mountain is home to a special power plant. It uses water to make electricity. This type of plant is called a pumped-storage hydroelectric facility.
Engineers started studying the mountain in 1964. Work on the site began three years later. By 1972, the plant was ready. It could make 1,080 megawatts of power. At that time, it was the biggest plant of its kind in the world!
Fun Things to Do at Northfield Mountain
The company that runs the power plant, FirstLight Power Resources, also helps manage fun activities on the mountain. They work with the state of Massachusetts to offer these things.
- Cross-Country Skiing: There's a special area for cross-country skiing. It has groomed trails, warm huts, and you can even take lessons.
- Hiking: The famous 114-mile (183 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail goes across the mountain. There are also many shorter trails for hiking.
- Camping and Tours: FirstLight also offers camping nearby at Barton Cove. They have environmental programs and boat tours on the Connecticut River.
Rose Ledge and Farley Ledges are very popular spots for rock climbing. People are working to protect Farley Ledge and make sure climbers can still enjoy it. Hermit Mountain is famous for "Hermit's Castle." This is a historic site where a man named John Smith lived from 1857 to 1900. He was known as a local recluse.
The Ancient Story of Northfield Mountain
The rocks that make up Northfield Mountain are very, very old. Their story began more than 600 million years ago! These ancient rocks are from a time called the late pre-Cambrian Period. You can find rocks this old in only a few places. These include the Western Berkshires in Massachusetts and the Green Mountains in Vermont.
