Blue Knob (Pennsylvania)

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Blue Knob Mountain
Blue Knob Mountain
Elevation	3,146 feet (959 m)
Location	Pennsylvania, USA
Range	Allegheny Mountains
Prominence	1,721 feet (525 m)
Coordinates	40°17′18″N, 78°33′43″W
Topo map	USGS Blue Knob (PA) Quadrangle
First ascent	unknown
Easiest route	drive up

1 Geography
2 Geology
3 Summit
4 Climate
5 Drainages
6 Vegetation
7 Wildlife
8 References
9 External Links

[edit] Geography

Blue Knob is a peak in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania in the United States at 3,146 feet (959 m) above sea level. This mountain is distinctive in that it's broad dome dominates the countryside. Blue Knob is the most northern of the 3,000 footers in the Allegheny Mountain range. Until 1921, Blue Knob was believed to be the highest mountain in the Commonwealth. The U.S. Geological Survey then determined that a point on Negro Mountain, in Somerset County, to be higher at 3,213 feet (979 m), later named Mt. Davis.

A portion of the mountain lies within the Blue Knob State Park, which covers 5,874 acres and contains approximately 18 miles (29 km) of hiking trails and numerous overlooks. A ski area is located on the mountain's north slopes.

The towns of Johnstown, Altoona and Bedford are located within 25 miles of the mountain. The towns of Pavia and Claysburg lay at the foot of the mountain.

[edit] Geology

The geology of Blue Knob is what gave the mountain its isolated position, separated from the rest of the Allegheny Front escarpment. The lower base of the mountain is made up of siltstone and shale of the Catskill Formation (Devonian Age). The upper slopes and summit are made up of a blueish-green conglomerate, which is far more resistant to weathering than shale and siltstone. It was these blueish-green rocks that gave Blue Knob it's name.

The satellite peaks of Blue Knob include: Herman Point 3,034 feet (925 m), Spruce Knob 2,475 feet (754 m), Round Knob 2,791 feet (851 m), Cattle Knob 2,842 feet (866 m), Pine Knob (Pennsylvania) 2,704 feet (824 m), Ritchey Knob 2,865 feet (873 m) and Schaefer Head 2,950 feet (899 m)

These peaks along with Blue Knob form a grouping of mountains that stand as a spur, from the rest of the curvilinear Allegheny Front and form some of the highest elevations in Pennsylvania's Allegheny Mountains.

View from the Pavia overlook

[edit] Summit

Blue Knob's summit was once used during the Cold War year's as a radar site, this station has long been deactivated. The signs from the former station are still noticeable on the summit. Some of the remaining buildings have been converted to a ski lodge, while the rest were taken down. The area was cleared of vegetation during that time and thus remains as a bald summit, which includes ski lifts, a few transmitter towers, a ski lodge and a few other maintenance structures. There are also a few ski chalets located just down from the summit area.

The views from the summit on a clear day are extensive. Views to the north include; Brush Mountain (17 miles), Schaefer Head (2.5 miles) and the other satellite peaks listed above, the Allegheny Front, The "Loop" in Tussey Mountain (27 miles) and Lock Mountain (13 miles).

To the east the views are of Dunning Mountain (7 miles), Tussey Mountain (16 miles), Jacks Mountain with Butler Knob (31 miles), Sideling Hill (28 miles), and on the distant horizon Big Mountain (41 miles) and the Tuscarora Ridge. To the south; Wills Mountain (32 miles), Savage Mountain (28 miles)and Bald Knob on the Allegheny Front (20 miles). The town of Bedford is hidden by Kinton Knob (18 miles).

The views west include Laurel Ridge and the Conemaugh Gorge (22 miles) and the Allegheny Plateaus.

[edit] Climate

Blue Knob is infamous for it's wind and snowy conditions. The state record snowfall was 225 inches during the winter of 1890-91. In the month of December 1890, 86 inches fell on the mountain alone. Average snowfall is about 12 feet annually, while temperatures usually are 10 to 12 degrees cooler than in the surrounding towns.

Blue Knob's weather can be attributed to it's aspect and elevation. The mountain rises approximately 500 + feet above the plateaus to the west. The prevailing winds hit the mountain's slopes, accelerating up and over it's bald summit. It is these conditions that can cause wind chill factors to dip below zero during the winter months.

View looking north from the upper slopes of Blue Knob

[edit] Drainages

The mountain has many springs that flow out of it and streams that run down it's hollows. A few of the major streams are Big Lick Branch, Rhodes Run, Pavia Run, Deep Hollow Run, Scubgrass Creek, Beaverdam Creek and Little Beaverdam Creek. Bob's Creek which is in the valley below the mountain is a "Class A" trout stream and popular among local fisherman. Adjacent to the mountain on the Allegheny Front are Big Break Hollow and Wallacks Branch, portions of these streams are located within the State Park boundary.

[edit] Vegetation

On the lower slopes of the mountain along the streams, Eastern Hemlock can still be found, Pennsylvania's state tree. The drier east and southeast face of the mountain is predominately Red and White oak and maple mix, with grapevines and some exotic invasive species where there are holes in the canopy. While the north and western face of the mountain contain Tulip poplar, American Beech and other associated hardwoods due to the richer soils. The upper slopes of the mountain have Black Cherry, Striped Maple, Scrub Oak and a forest floor of Blueberry and Fern. Over the 3,000 foot contour the trees are distinctively stunted due to the winds and fierce weather.

In September of 2004, during Hurricane Ivan, strong winds called derechos streamed through the saddle between Herman Point and Blue Knob, leveling acres of trees on the ridges that abutt the mountain. Many of the larger trees were blown down like match sticks, opening great holes in the forest canopy. The park conducted salvage efforts to remove wood from the park and reopen trails and camp areas.

Salvage operation after 2004 wind storm

[edit] Wildlife

Wildlife is abundant on the slopes of Blue Knob. Species such as white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, turkey, coyote, and fox are difficult to see but finding their tracks in the snow is not uncommon. Black bear is another resident on the mountain and are more likely to be seen during the early morning and evening hours. Red-tailed hawks, warblers, vireos and songbirds are found here throughout the seasons.

Adjacent to the State Park is the 11,926 acre Pennsylvania State Game Lands No. 26. This acreage combined with the park is an area over 17,000 acres of public land. There are a few areas in Blue Knob State Park which are closed to hunting (see park map). Hikers need to be extremely careful during the hunting season in late November and through December.