West Peak (New Haven County, Connecticut) facts for kids
- Should not be confused with West Rock, another traprock summit in Connecticut
Quick facts for kids West Peak |
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View from West Peak
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,024 ft (312 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Meriden, Connecticut |
| Parent range | Hanging Hills / Metacomet Ridge |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 200 million years |
| Mountain type | fault-block; igneous |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Metacomet Trail |
West Peak is the highest point in Connecticut made of a special type of rock called traprock. It's part of the Hanging Hills mountain range and stands tall above the city of Meriden. From its top, you can see amazing views of southern Connecticut, the Long Island Sound, and even mountains far away like the Berkshires in Massachusetts. On a really clear day, you might even spot Mount Tom, which is 47 miles north!
Fun Things to Do at West Peak
West Peak is a great place for outdoor adventures! The famous 62-mile-long Metacomet Trail crosses right over West Peak, making it perfect for hiking. Many people also enjoy picnicking and bird watching here. West Peak is especially important for raptors (birds like hawks and eagles) because it's on their migration path when they fly south for the winter.
West Peak's Role in Radio History
Did you know West Peak played a big part in the history of radio? In 1939, Edwin Howard Armstrong, who invented FM radio, chose West Peak for one of the very first FM radio broadcasts. His original 70-foot radio tower is still there today! Now, West Peak is home to seven FM radio stations, including WNPR, WWYZ, WZMX, WDRC-FM, WKSS, WHCN, and WMRQ-FM. It's also known as West Peak State Park.
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View of the cliffs of West Peak in Meriden, Connecticut as seen from below
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View looking east from the top of West Peak. East Peak and South Mountain, the lower peaks, are visible.
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View looking south from the top of West Peak in Meriden, Connecticut. Sleeping Giant State Park can be seen.
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The largest transmission tower on West Peak
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View of the lookout tower on East Peak
How West Peak Was Formed
West Peak, along with the other Hanging Hills, is part of a long chain of mountains. These mountains were formed about 200 million years ago from a type of rock called "traprock." This happened when hot, melted rock (magma) pushed up from deep inside the Earth. Over millions of years, the softer rocks around it wore away, leaving these tough traprock mountains standing tall. It's like a giant, ancient crack in the Earth's surface that is now quiet.
