Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about the Black Mountain, Kentucky

Black Mountain (Kentucky’s highest point) as viewed from nearby Pine Mountain By J654567 –Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about the Black Mountain, Kentucky

Known as having the highest mountain peak in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States, Black Mountain is a beautiful landmark. Truly admirable black mountain Kentucky offers views of both Virginia and Kentucky with a gorgeous hardwood forest.

Black mountain is mostly known due to its connections to coal mining has been one of the reasons small towns around it grew. But is that all that Kentucky is known for? here are 7 unbelievable facts about black mountain Kentucky.

1. It is the highest point in Kentucky

is about 500 feet (150 m) taller than any other mountain in Kentucky. Black Mountain’s summit boasts an elevation of 4,145 feet (1,263 m) [2] above mean sea level. and a top-to-bottom height of over 2,500 feet (760 m Most of Kentucky does not reach high elevation, and the state is known much more for its caves than its mountains.

Black Mountain is actually quite large but underappreciated for its status as the highest mountain in Kentucky. So much so that coal mining was done for years on the upper reaches of the mountain, and a huge high voltage tower charges within 1/10 of a mile of its summit. A waiver used to be required to hike Black Mountain; to be signed and have on your person in case you ran into employees of the coal company.  

2. The road to the mountain peak is flanked by steep drop-offs and rock walls

Black Mountain (Kentucky) By Idawriter, – Wikimedia Commons

Route 160 east of Lynch and west of Appalachia crosses the mountain. The summit is reached by a narrow road that turns off to the right (coming from Lynch or to the left, if coming from Appalachia) at the Kentucky-Virginia line (the gap that is the highest part of Route 160) and leads past a Federal Aviation Administration radar dome.

There is a one lane dirt road to the left not far past the radar dome that leads to the summit. Experience this 7.4-km out-and-back trail near Lynch, Kentucky. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 21 min to complete. This trail is great for scenic driving, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

3. A waiver was needed to access the summit

A waiver used to be required to hike Black Mountain; to be signed and have on your person in case you ran into employees of the coal company ack in the 90’s when the interest in highpointing was really taking off an agreement was made by the Highpointers Club and Penn Coal who was actively mining the area.  The club members who wanted to visit the summit needed to sign a waiver accepting personal responsibility for their safety.

It was believed at the time that underground mining near the summit could cause a cave in. Waivers were made available at the Coal Mining Museum in nearby Benham, in the club newsletter and online. The waivers were to be mailed to the coal company and most club members would also carry a copy with them to the summit.

4. Black mountain Kentucky was once privately owned

In 2018, the State took ownership of the high point and improvements have been made; and those improvements will make the experience more enjoyable in years to come. However, as of the summer of 2020.

Kentucky  purchased mineral and timber rights to the summit and prevented future large-scale mining. Coal companies have alleged that mined coal veins converge beneath the summit of Black Mountain and that the summit is prone to collapse.

5. The summit offers breathtaking views of both Kentucky and Virginia

Aerial photo of First Point, Second Point and Four Poles, Black Mountain By The original uploader was Brandon Goins – Wikimedia Commons

Since the area has been used for coal mining, the road (route 160) crosses some of the best scenery in the state, without so much as an overlook to take it all in. An overlook was built on the Virginia side in recent years, which will hopefully give visitors a good view of the mountain. Route 160 is a winding mountain road that is fun to drive.

In fact, it is a far prettier drive than it is a hike. The road to the top is actually easy to find because it sits directly in between the “Welcome to Virginia” and “Welcome to Kentucky” signs. Coming from Virginia, the road is on the left, and you can park at the base. It is far better to hike here in the winter because less work is being done up at the summit. The scenery is better in December/January as the ice forms on the rock walls.

6. Most history of the t black mountain is found in the Kentucky coal mountain

From the museum, one can learn about the creation of coal in Appalachia around 400 million years ago. Furthermore, a lot of information about the way in which coal seams as many as eight in some areas of Black Mountain run almost parallel to the surface. They go further to use cutaways to allow for replicas showing where the seams of coal are and, often, how much of it may have already been mined.

The museum also has several exhibits that depict the home life of mining families, including exhibits (circa 1930) that show a completely furnished kitchen, living room, and bedroom. They also have other relics such as a barber shop, a typical scene from a commissary, a classroom, and a hospital. It also gives the history of the natives of black mountain and how the coal mining grew in Kentucky.

7. Supports a northern hardwood forest

Black Mountain Photo by Matt Wasson – Wikimedia Commons

Black Mountain is one of the few sites in Kentucky supporting a Northern Hardwood Forest at higher elevations Numerous rare plants and animals are found here, including Black Bear, Red Elderberry and Hobblebush. Like many areas of Northern Hardwood Forest in the Southern Appalachia, fires swept through the mountain after intense logging. Black Mountain has a documented fire that occurred in the fall of 1896.