Poppy Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Poppy Mountain |
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| Pease Ridge | |
 Poppy Mountain
Location in Massachusetts
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,311 ft (704 m) |
| Parent peak | N 42.52361 W 73.30975 |
| Geography | |
| Location | Berkshire County, Massachusetts |
| Parent range | Taconic Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Ordovician |
| Mountain type | Thrust fault; metamorphic rock and sedimentary rock |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Taconic Crest Trail |
Poppy Mountain is a cool peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. It stands about 2,311 feet (704 meters) tall. Sometimes, people call its lower part "Pease Ridge." This mountain is part of the beautiful Pittsfield State Forest. A long hiking path, the Taconic Crest Trail, goes right over it. The top of Poppy Mountain is covered with trees like maple, birch, and oak, which are common in northern forests.
Where is Poppy Mountain?
Poppy Mountain is located in two towns. The very top and the western side are in Hancock. The eastern slopes are in Lanesborough.
This mountain isn't just one single peak. It has several smaller bumps or "sub-peaks." One of these is Pease Ridge, which is a lower part of the mountain that goes down towards the northwest. It has a noticeable knob about 1,870 feet (570 meters) high. There are also two other smaller bumps, about 1,930 feet (588 meters) and 2,250 feet (686 meters) high. An eastern peak, about 2,150 feet (655 meters) high, is sometimes mixed up with nearby Potter Mountain.
Nearby Mountains and Water Flow
The Taconic Mountain Range continues from Poppy Mountain in different directions. To the north, you'll find Potter Mountain, also known as Jiminy Peak. To the south is Honwee Mountain. If you look west across the Wyomanock Creek valley, you'll see Rounds Mountain.
Water flows off Poppy Mountain in two main directions. On the west side, water drains into Kinderhook Creek. This creek eventually flows into the Hudson River, and then into Long Island Sound. On the east side, water flows into Daniels Brook and Churchill Brook. These brooks lead to Lake Onota, which then connects to the Housatonic River and finally to Long Island Sound. So, water from Poppy Mountain ends up in the ocean!
Learn More About Poppy Mountain
If you want to explore more about hiking and mountains in Massachusetts, these guides can help:
- Massachusetts Trail Guide (2004). Boston: Appalachian Mountain Club.
- AMC Massachusetts and Rhode Island Trail Guide (1989). Boston: Appalachian Mountain Club.
