Rib Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rib Mountain |
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Rib Mountain, as seen from downtown Wausau
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,942 ft (592 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 741 ft (226 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Marathon County, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Wausau West |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 1.5B years |
| Mountain type | monadnock |
Rib Mountain, also known as Rib Hill, is a special kind of hill in central Wisconsin. It's called a glacially-eroded monadnock, which means it's a tough, isolated hill that was left standing after glaciers wore away the land around it. This mountain is found in the Town of Rib Mountain in Marathon County.
Rib Mountain is made mostly of a very strong rock called quartzite. This rock formed about 1.5 billion years ago! It's an ancient part of the Earth's history.
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Where is Rib Mountain Located?
Rib Mountain is located near Wausau. It sits on the west side of the Wisconsin River. You can find it just west of Interstate 39 and south of Highway 29.
The Wausau Downtown Airport is about 3 miles (4.8 km) to the east. The airport is 1,201 feet (366 meters) above sea level.
How Big is Rib Mountain?
Rib Mountain is quite long, stretching almost 4 miles (6.4 km). Its highest point reaches 1,942 feet (592 meters) above sea level. This makes it the highest point in Wisconsin when you measure its height from the land around it.
The mountain rises 741 feet (226 meters) above the local area. Nearby, you can find the Rib River and the Little Rib River.
What Can You Do at Rib Mountain?
Rib Mountain is a popular spot for outdoor fun! It is home to the Rib Mountain State Park. This park offers great views and places to hike.
The mountain also has the Granite Peak Ski Area. This is a fantastic place to ski and snowboard in the winter.
Rib Mountain's Role in Communication
The peak of Rib Mountain is also important for communication. It has transmitters for many radio and TV stations in the Wausau area. For example, it's the namesake for Wisconsin Public Television's WHRM-TV (Channel 20) and WHRM-FM (90.9). It also hosts Wisconsin Public Radio's news and classical station for the area.
Another station, WIFC, also has its transmitter at the top of the mountain.
Fun Legends About Rib Mountain
There's a fun local story about Rib Mountain. Some people say that the "ribs" in Rib Mountain mean it's the burial place of the giant lumberjack, Paul Bunyan.
And guess what? The nearby Mosinee Hill is said to be the grave of Babe the Blue Ox, Paul Bunyan's famous blue ox!
History of Skiing at Rib Mountain
Rib Mountain has a special place in skiing history. When the ski area opened on its slopes in 1937, it was one of the very first ski areas in North America.
Just a few years earlier, Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont had opened in 1934. Then, Sun Valley in Idaho became the first ski area in the western United States in 1936. Rib Mountain quickly joined these pioneering ski spots.
