Blue Knob (Pennsylvania): Difference between revisions
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{{Geobox|Mountain |
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<!-- *** Name section *** --> |
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| name = Blue Knob |
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| native_name = |
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| other_name = |
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| other_name1 = |
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| topo_maker = USGS |
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| topo_map = Blue Knob |
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| range = Allegheny Mountains |
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| parent = Allegheny Front |
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<!-- *** Category *** --> |
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| category = |
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<!-- *** Image *** --> |
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| image = Dome 3136.jpg |
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| image_caption = Blue Knob Mountain. |
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<!-- *** Etymology *** ---> |
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| etymology_type = |
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| etymology = |
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<!-- *** Country etc. *** --> |
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| country = United States |
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| country_flag = 1 |
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| state = Pennsylvania |
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| state_flag = 1 |
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| region_type = County |
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| region = [[Bedford County, Pennsylvania|Bedford]] |
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| district_type = |
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| district = |
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| district1 = |
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| district2 = |
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| city = |
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| city1 = |
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<!-- *** Geography *** --> |
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| location = |
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| lat_d = 40 |
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| lat_m = 17 |
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| lat_s = 18 |
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| lat_NS = N |
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| long_d = 78 |
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| long_m = 33 |
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| long_s = 43 |
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| long_EW = W |
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| elevation_imperial = 3136 |
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| elevation_round = 1 |
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| elevation_note = <ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Knob |url=http://www.peakware.com/peaks.html?pk=1076 |publisher=PeakWare World Mountain Encyclopedia |accessdate=2009-12-04}}</ref> |
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| prominence_imperial = 800 |
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| prominence_note = <ref> [[Key col]] elevation between 2,320 and 2,340 ft at {{coord|40|21.4|N|78|33.5|W |region:US-PA}}. </ref> |
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| area_unit = acre |
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| area_imperial = |
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| area_round = 1 |
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| area_note = |
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| area1_imperial = |
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| area1_type = |
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| length_imperial = |
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| length_orientation = |
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| width_imperial = |
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| width_orientation = |
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| highest = |
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| highest location = |
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| highest_lat_d = |
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| highest_lat_m = |
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| highest_lat_s = |
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| highest_lat_NS = |
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| highest_long_d = |
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| highest_long_m = |
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| highest_long_s = |
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| highest_long_EW = |
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| highest_elevation_imperial = |
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| lowest = |
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| lowest_location = |
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| lowest_lat_d = |
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| lowest_lat_m = |
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| lowest_lat_s = |
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| lowest_lat_NS = |
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| lowest_long_d = |
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| lowest_long_m = |
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| lowest_long_s = |
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| lowest_long_EW = |
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| lowest_elevation_imperial = |
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<!-- *** Nature *** --> |
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| biome = |
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| biome_share = |
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| biome1 = |
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| biome1_share = |
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| geology = Burgoon Sandstone |
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| geology1 = |
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| plant = |
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| plant1 = |
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| animal = |
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| animal1 = |
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<!-- *** People *** --> |
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| access = [[driving|drive-up]] via Knob Road |
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| established_type = |
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| established = |
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| established_note = |
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| established1_type = |
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| established1 = |
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| established1_note = |
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| owner = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
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| management = |
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| management_lat_d = |
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| management_lat_m = |
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| management_lat_s = |
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| management_lat_NS = |
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| management_long_d = |
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| management_long_m = |
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| management_long_s = |
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| management_long_EW = |
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| management_elevation = |
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| visitation = |
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| visitation_year = |
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<!-- *** Free fields *** --> |
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| free_type = Nearest city |
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| free_label = Nearest city |
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| free = [[Pavia Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania |Pavia]], [[Pennsylvania]] |
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| free1_type = |
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| free1 = |
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<!-- *** Map section *** --> |
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| map = Pennsylvania Locator Map.PNG |
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| map_caption = Location of Blue Knob in Pennsylvania |
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| map_locator = Pennsylvania |
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| map_first = |
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<!-- *** Website *** --> |
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| website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/blueknob.aspx Blue Knob State Park] |
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}} |
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'''Blue Knob''' is a [[Pennsylvania]] summit with a broad dome that is the most northern of the 3,000 footers in the range of [[Allegheny Mountains]]. The mountain covers {{convert|5874|acre|km2}} of [[Blue Knob State Park]] and contains approximately <span style="white-space:nowrap">18 miles (29 km)</span> of hiking trails and numerous overlooks. A ski area is located on the mountain's north slopes. The towns of [[Johnstown, Pennsylvania|Johnstown]], [[Altoona, Pennsylvania|Altoona]] and [[Bedford, Pennsylvania|Bedford]] are located within {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=off}} of the mountain. The towns of [[Pavia Township, Pennsylvania|Pavia]] and [[Claysburg, Pennsylvania|Claysburg]] lie at the foot of the mountain. |
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==Geography== |
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The satellite peaks of Blue Knob include: |
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[[Herman Point]] <span style="white-space:nowrap">3,034 feet (925 m)</span>, |
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Spruce Knob <span style="white-space:nowrap">2,475 feet (754 m)</span>, |
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Round Knob <span style="white-space:nowrap">2,791 feet (851 m)</span>, |
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Cattle Knob <span style="white-space:nowrap">2,842 feet (866 m)</span>, |
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[[Pine Knob (Pennsylvania)|Pine Knob]] <span style="white-space:nowrap">2,704 feet (824 m)</span>, |
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[[Ritchey Knob]] <span style="white-space:nowrap">2,865 feet (873 m)</span> and |
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[[Schaefer Head]] <span style="white-space:nowrap">2,950 feet (899 m)</span> |
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Summits to the north include; [[Brush Mountain (Blair County, Pennsylvania)|Brush Mountain]] (17 miles), [[Schaefer Head]] (2.5 miles) and the other satellite peaks listed above, the Allegheny Front,{{Clarify|date=December 2008}} The "Loop" in [[Tussey Mountain]] (27 miles) and [[Lock Mountain]] (13 miles). |
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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 Mountain]] Ridge. To the south; [[Wills Mountain]] (32 miles), [[Allegheny Mountain (Pennsylvania) |Savage Mountain]] (28 miles) and Bald Knob on the Allegheny Front (20 miles). The town of Bedford is hidden by [[Kinton Knob]] (18 miles). |
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The views west include [[Laurel Hill (Pennsylvania)|Laurel Hill]] and the Conemaugh Gorge (22 miles) and the [[Allegheny Plateau]]. |
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;Drainages: 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. |
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==Geology== |
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[[Image:Massifcloseup.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Blue Knob massif from Chimney Rocks.]] |
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These peaks along with Blue Knob form a grouping of mountains that stand out as a [[massif]] from the rest of the [[Allegheny Front]] and form some of the highest elevations in Pennsylvania's [[Allegheny Mountains.]] |
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Blue Knob is separate from the rest{{Cn|This implies Blue Knob is PART OF THE ALLEGHENY FRONT, but the [[Allegheny Front]] wikiarticle claims the front is conterminous with the ECD "in this region", and Blue Knob isn't conterminous with the ECD.|date=December 2008}} of the [[Allegheny Front]] [[escarpment]], and the mountain's lower base is made up of [[siltstone]] and [[shale]] of the [[Devonian]] Catskill and [[Devonian]]-[[Mississippian]] Rockwell formations. The upper slopes and [[Summit (topography)|summit]] are made up of the buff-colored [[Mississippian]] Burgoon Formation of [[sandstone]] and [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomerate]], which is far more resistant to weathering than the underlying [[shale]] and [[siltstone]]. The rocks near the summit have a bluish-green appearance, giving Blue Knob its name. |
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==History== |
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[[Image:Westface.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The west aspect of Blue Knob receives prevailing winds (photo taken from meadow at 2,400 ft.)]] |
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Until 1921, Blue Knob was believed{{Who|Identify a claimant for this belief|date=December 2008}} to be the highest mountain in Pennsylvania until the [[U.S. Geological Survey]] determined a summit of {{convert|3213|ft|m}}</span> was higher (later named [[Mount Davis (Pennsylvania)|Mount Davis]]). In the 1950s the summit was cleared of vegetation and was the location of [[Claysburg Air Force Station]] until it was deactivated in 1961. Shortly afterward the Blue Knob Ski area was developed. Signs from the former station remain on the summit and one buildings remains as a ski lodge. Ski lifts, a ski lodge and a couple of maintenance structures occupy the broad summit of Blue Knob; and a few ski chalets are downhill of the bald summit. |
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==Climate== |
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[[Image:North slope.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Looking down the Big Lick Branch drainage from the upper slopes of Blue Knob]] |
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The state record snowfall was recorded on Blue Knob at 225 inches during the winter of 1890-91. In the December 1890, 86 inches fell on the mountain alone. Average snowfall is about {{convert|12|ft|m}} annually, while temperatures usually are 10 to 12 degrees cooler than in the surrounding towns. |
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Blue Knob's weather can be attributed to its [[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 its bald summit. It is these conditions that can cause [[wind chill]] factors to dip below zero during the winter months. |
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==Vegetation== |
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[[Image:Pavia vista.jpg|thumb|right|200px|View from the Pavia overlook]] |
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[[Image:Heli BK.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Salvage operation after 2004 wind storm]] |
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[[Tsuga canadensis |Eastern Hemlock]] trees are located along streams of the mountain's lower slopes, and 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 {{convert|3000|ft|m|sing=on}} contour the trees are distinctively stunted due to the winds and fierce weather. |
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In September 2004, during [[Hurricane Ivan]], strong winds called [[derechos]] streamed through the saddle between Herman Point and Blue Knob, leveling trees on the ridges that abut 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. |
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==Wildlife== |
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[[Image:Herman Point.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The high summit is [[Herman Point]] (3,034 ft) where the Lost Turkey Trail begins.]] |
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[[Wildlife]] is abundant on the slopes of Blue Knob. Species such as [[white-tailed deer]], [[ruffed grouse]], [[turkey]], [[coyote]], [[porcupine]] and [[fox]] are difficult to see but finding their tracks in the snow is not uncommon. [[American Black Bear|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. |
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Adjacent to the State Park is the {{convert|11926|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[Pennsylvania State Game Lands]] No. 26. This area combined with the park is an area over {{convert|17000|acre|km2}} 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. |
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== References == |
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{{commonscat|Blue Knob}} |
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{{ external media |align=right|width = |
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| image1 = [http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=40.28833&lon=-78.56194&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG25&size=l&s=100 Topographic map] |
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| image2 = |
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| image3 = [http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=14&Z=17&X=221&Y=1394&W=2 Aerial photo] |
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| audio1 = |
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| video1 = |
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}} |
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{{reflist}} |
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* {{cite web |
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| url = http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=40.28866&lon=-78.56328&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG25&s=50 |
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| title = Latitude and Longitude from TopoQuest |
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| publisher = TopoQuest.com}} |
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* {{ cite web |
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| url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/blueknob.aspx |
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| title = Blue Knob State Park |
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| accessdate = 2007-02-25 |
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| publisher = [[Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]]}} |
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Alan R. Geyer (1979) "''Outstanding Geologic Features of Pennsylvania''", [[Geological Survey of Pennsylvania]] |
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Charles H. Shultz (1999) "''The Geology of Pennsylvania''", [[Geological Survey of Pennsylvania]] ISBN 0-8182-0227-0 |
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Jere Martin (1997) "Pennsylvania Almanac" published by: Stackpole Books ISBN 0-8117-2880-3 |
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== External links == |
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* [http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=7341 Peakbagger.com] |
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* [http://www.onthesnow.com/PA/59/weather.html?XE_AFF=Visalia%20Times-Delta&XE_LNK=Weather Current conditions at Blue Knob] |
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<!--INVALID LINK:* [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152995/blue-knob.html Blue Knob at Summitpost.org]--> |
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[[Category:Allegheny Mountains]] |
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[[Category:Mountains of Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Bedford County, Pennsylvania]] |
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