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South Mountain (Maryland and Pennsylvania)
Encyclopedia
South Mountain is the northern extension of the Blue Ridge Mountain
range
in Maryland
and Pennsylvania
. From the Potomac River
near Knoxville, Maryland
in the south, to Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
in the north, the 70 miles (112.7 km) long range separates the Hagerstown
and Cumberland
valleys from the Piedmont
regions of the two states. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail follows the crest of the mountain through Maryland and part of its portion in Pennsylvania.
, the ridge continues as Short Hill Mountain
for about 12 miles (19.3 km) before subsiding near the town of Hillsboro. South Mountain in Maryland gradually grows higher and wider towards the north. Near the Pennsylvania border, the mountain merges with the hills of the parallel Catoctin Mountain
range to the east and becomes more like a low mountain range than a single crest. North of U.S. Route 30
in Pennsylvania, the South Mountain highlands reach their greatest width, over 12 miles (19.3 km), and several summits top 2000 feet (609.6 m). The mountain then turns more to the east and becomes a series of small rocky hills between Mount Holly Springs
and the northeastern end of the mountain at Dillsburg.
(DCNR) and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
. The Initiative is organized as South Mountain Partnership, which involves other organizations, government, business, and community members.
was fought on the mountain at Crampton's, Fox and Turner's gaps during the Maryland Campaign
in 1862. In 1863, military engagements of the Gettysburg Campaign
on the mountain range included the Fight at Monterey Pass
near the Mason-Dixon Line
.
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
range
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. From the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
near Knoxville, Maryland
Knoxville, Maryland
Knoxville is an unincorporated community in Washington County, Maryland, United States.-References:...
in the south, to Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Dillsburg is a borough adjacent to Carroll Township in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,563 as of the 2010 census.-Geography:Dillsburg is surrounded by Carroll Township in northwestern York County, Pennsylvania...
in the north, the 70 miles (112.7 km) long range separates the Hagerstown
Hagerstown Valley
Hagerstown Valley is located in Maryland in the United States. It is part of the Great Appalachian Valley, which continues northward as Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania, and southward as Shenandoah Valley in West Virginia and Virginia....
and Cumberland
Cumberland Valley
The Cumberland Valley is a constituent valley of the Great Appalachian Valley and a North American agricultural region within the Atlantic Seaboard watershed in Pennsylvania and Maryland....
valleys from the Piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
regions of the two states. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail follows the crest of the mountain through Maryland and part of its portion in Pennsylvania.
Geography
South Mountain begins at the Potomac River as a low, narrow ridge, barely one mile wide and only 1200 feet (365.8 m) above sea level at its crest. South of the Potomac River in VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, the ridge continues as Short Hill Mountain
Short Hill Mountain
Short Hill Mountain is a mountain ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwest Loudoun County, Virginia.- Geography :Short Hill rises sharply from the Piedmont countryside of the Loudoun Valley, northwest of Purcellville, as a low-lying ridge barely over above the surrounding area...
for about 12 miles (19.3 km) before subsiding near the town of Hillsboro. South Mountain in Maryland gradually grows higher and wider towards the north. Near the Pennsylvania border, the mountain merges with the hills of the parallel Catoctin Mountain
Catoctin Mountain
Catoctin Mountain, along with the geologically associated Bull Run Mountains, comprises the easternmost mountain ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are in turn a part of the Appalachian Mountains range...
range to the east and becomes more like a low mountain range than a single crest. North of U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
in Pennsylvania, the South Mountain highlands reach their greatest width, over 12 miles (19.3 km), and several summits top 2000 feet (609.6 m). The mountain then turns more to the east and becomes a series of small rocky hills between Mount Holly Springs
Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania
Mount Holly Springs is a borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,925 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and the northeastern end of the mountain at Dillsburg.
Maryland
From south to north:- Lambs KnollLambs KnollLambs Knoll is a peak of South Mountain on the border of Washington County and Frederick County in the state of Maryland, United States. The peak is the second tallest on South Mountain in Maryland behind Quirauk Mountain.-Geography:...
, 1758 feet (535.8 m) above sea levelSea levelMean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation... - Monument Knob, 1540 feet (469.4 m)
- Bartman Hill, 1400 feet (426.7 m)
- Pine Knob, 1714 feet (522.4 m)
- Buzzard Knob, 1520 feet (463.3 m)
- Quirauk MountainQuirauk MountainQuirauk Mountain is the highest point on South Mountain. The peak is located in northeastern Washington County, Maryland. It lies just southwest of Fort Ritchie Military Reservation in the village of Cascade and about 1/2 mile southeast of the community of Blue Mountain...
, 2150 feet (655.3 m) - highest point on South Mountain in Maryland
Pennsylvania
From south to north, then east:- Mount Dunlop, 1720 feet (524.3 m)
- Monterey Peak, 1663 feet (506.9 m)
- Clermont Crag 1627 feet (495.9 m)
- Wildcat Rocks, 1772 feet (540.1 m)
- Virginia Rock, 1818 feet (554.1 m)
- Buzzard Peak/Chimney Rocks, 1946 feet (593.1 m)
- Snowy Mountain, 2090 feet (637 m)
- Green Ridge, 1980 feet (603.5 m)
- Mount Newman, 1784 feet (543.8 m)
- Piney Mountain, 1904 feet (580.3 m)
- Big Pine Flat Ridge, 2100 feet (640.1 m) - highest point on South Mountain in Pennsylvania
- Big Flat Ridge, 2065 feet (629.4 m)
- East Big Flat Ridge, 2070 feet (630.9 m)
- Mount Holly, 1504 feet (458.4 m)
- Long Mountain, 1583 feet (482.5 m)
- Center Point Knob, 1075 feet (327.7 m)
- White Rocks, 1105 feet (336.8 m)
Maryland
From south to north:- Crampton's GapCrampton's GapCrampton's Gap, also known as Crampton Gap, is a wind gap on South Mountain in Maryland.The gap connects Burkittsville in the Middletown Valley to the east with Gapland and Rohrersville in the Pleasant Valley to the west....
, 930 feet (283.5 m), between BurkittsvilleBurkittsville, MarylandBurkittsville is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The population was 171 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Burkittsville is located at ....
and GaplandGapland, MarylandGapland is an unincorporated community in Washington County, Maryland, United States.-References:... - Fox's GapFox's GapFox's Gap, also known as Fox Gap, is a wind gap in the South Mountain Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains, located in Frederick County and Washington County, Maryland. The gap is traversed by Reno Monument Road...
, 1070 feet (326.1 m), between MiddletownMiddletown, MarylandMiddletown is a town in Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,668 at the 2000 census. Middletown is a small, rural community steeped in American history...
and BoonsboroBoonsboro, MarylandBoonsboro is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States, located at the foot of South Mountain. It nearly borders Frederick County and is proximate to the Antietam National Battlefield... - Turner's GapTurner's GapTurner's Gap is a wind gap in the South Mountain Range of the Blue Ridge Mountains, located in Frederick County and Washington County, Maryland. The gap is traversed by U.S. Route 40 Alt, the Old National Pike. The Appalachian Trail also crosses the gap....
, 1071 feet (326.4 m), between Middletown and Boonsboro, traversed by Alternate U.S. Route 40 - pass near Bartman Hill, 1250 feet (381 m), traversed by Interstate 70Interstate 70Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
and U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 is an east–west United States highway. As with most routes whose numbers end in a zero, U.S. 40 once traversed the entire United States. It is one of the original 1920s U.S. Highways, and its first termini were San Francisco, California, and Atlantic City, New Jersey... - Harman Gap (Oeiler's Gap), 1570 feet (478.5 m), east of CavetownCavetown, MarylandCavetown is a census-designated place in Washington County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,486 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cavetown is located at ....
Pennsylvania
From south to north:- Monterey GapMonterey passMonterey Pass is a mountain pass near Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, and the Mason-Dixon Line. The saddle area lies near between Monterey Peak and . It was the site of the July 1863 Fight at Monterey Pass during the Retreat from Gettysburg.-Gettysburg Campaign:The first military engagement at...
, 1330 feet (405.4 m), at Blue Ridge SummitBlue Ridge Summit, PennsylvaniaBlue Ridge Summit is an unincorporated community in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States, southwest of Gettysburg in the central part of the state, adjoining Pennsylvania's southern border with Maryland. It is less than 3 miles east of Pen Mar, Maryland...
(see also Fairfield Gap) - Pass near Mount Newman, 1380 feet (420.6 m), traversed by U.S. Route 30U.S. Route 30U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
Maryland
From south to north:- South Mountain State ParkSouth Mountain State ParkSouth Mountain State Park is a state park in Washington and Frederick county, Maryland. The park encompasses nearly the entire length of South Mountain through Maryland and is contiguous with several other national, state and local parks on the mountain, including the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal...
, length of the ridge crest in Maryland - Gathland State ParkGathland State ParkGathland State Park is a small state park located near Burkittsville, Maryland, in the United States. The park is composed of the remains of the estate of George Alfred Townsend , a correspondent during the American Civil War who wrote under the pen name "Gath"...
, Crampton Gap - Washington Monument State Park, near BoonsboroBoonsboro, MarylandBoonsboro is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States, located at the foot of South Mountain. It nearly borders Frederick County and is proximate to the Antietam National Battlefield...
- Greenbrier State ParkGreenbrier State ParkGreenbrier State Park is a Maryland state park on South Mountain in Washington County.-External links:* - official site...
, near Boonsboro
Pennsylvania
From south to north:- Michaux State ForestMichaux State ForestMichaux State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #1. The main offices are located in Fayetteville in Franklin County, Pennsylvania in the United States....
, covering most of the mountain - Caledonia State ParkCaledonia State ParkCaledonia State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Greene Township, Franklin County and Franklin Township, Adams County in Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is named for an iron furnace, Caledonia Furnace, that was owned by Thaddeus Stevens beginning in 1837. Today the park is known...
, east of FayettevilleFayetteville, PennsylvaniaFayetteville is a census-designated place in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,774 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Fayetteville is located at .... - Pine Grove Furnace State ParkPine Grove Furnace State ParkPine Grove Furnace State Park is a protected Pennsylvania area that includes Laurel and Fuller lakes in Cooke Township. The park provides various outdoor recreation activities, has the remains of the Pine Grove Iron Works, and was the site of the 1830 Laurel Forge, 1880s Pine Grove Park, and an...
Conservation
In Pennsylvania, the region surrounding is the focus of a Conservation Landscape Initiative, led by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcesPennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources , established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for maintaining and preserving the state's 117 state parks and 20 state forests; providing information on the state's natural resources; and...
(DCNR) and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia...
. The Initiative is organized as South Mountain Partnership, which involves other organizations, government, business, and community members.
History
The Battle of South MountainBattle of South Mountain
The Battle of South Mountain was fought September 14, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War. Three pitched battles were fought for possession of three South Mountain passes: Crampton's, Turner's, and Fox's Gaps. Maj. Gen. George B...
was fought on the mountain at Crampton's, Fox and Turner's gaps during the Maryland Campaign
Maryland Campaign
The Maryland Campaign, or the Antietam Campaign is widely considered one of the major turning points of the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North was repulsed by Maj. Gen. George B...
in 1862. In 1863, military engagements of the Gettysburg Campaign
Gettysburg Campaign
The Gettysburg Campaign was a series of battles fought in June and July 1863, during the American Civil War. After his victory in the Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia moved north for offensive operations in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The...
on the mountain range included the Fight at Monterey Pass
Fight at Monterey Pass
The Fight at Monterey Pass was an American Civil War military engagement beginning the evening of July 4, 1863, during the Retreat from Gettysburg. A Confederate wagon train of Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell's Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, withdrew after the Battle of Gettysburg, and Union...
near the Mason-Dixon Line
Mason-Dixon line
The Mason–Dixon Line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute between British colonies in Colonial America. It forms a demarcation line among four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and...
.