Bald Knob

Geobox|Summit
name = Bald Knob
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
topo_maker = USGS
topo_

range = Allegheny Mountains
parent = Back Allegheny Mountain
category =

---

image_caption = Looking south from the summit.
etymology_type =
etymology =
country = United States
country_

state = West Virginia
state_

region_type = County
region = Pocahontas
district_type =
district =
district1 =
district2 =
city =
city1 =
location =
lat_d = 38
lat_m = 26
lat_s = 52
lat_NS = N
long_d = 79
long_m = 55
long_s = 52
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 4842
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note = cite gnis|1553787|Bald Knob|1980-06-27|2008-08-19]
prominence_imperial = 902
prominence_note = [cite web|url=http://www.peaklist.org/USlists/WV500.html|title=West Virginia Summits|publisher=PeakList.org|accessdate=2008-08-19]
area_unit = acre
area_imperial =
area_round = 1
area_note =
area1_imperial =
area1_type =
length_imperial =
length_orientation =
width_imperial =
width_orientation =
highest =
highest location =
highest_lat_d =
highest_lat_m =
highest_lat_s =
highest_lat_NS =
highest_long_d =
highest_long_m =
highest_long_s =
highest_long_EW =
highest_elevation_imperial =
lowest =
lowest_location =
lowest_lat_d =
lowest_lat_m =
lowest_lat_s =
lowest_lat_NS =
lowest_long_d =
lowest_long_m =
lowest_long_s =
lowest_long_EW =
lowest_elevation_imperial =
biome =
biome_share =
biome1 =
biome1_share =
geology =
geology1 =
plant =
plant1 =
animal =
animal1 =
access = train via Cass Scenic Railroad
established_type =
established =
established_note =
established1_type =
established1 =
established1_note =
owner = West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
management = Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
management_lat_d =
management_lat_m =
management_lat_s =
management_lat_NS =
management_long_d =
management_long_m =
management_long_s =
management_long_EW =
management_elevation =
visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type = Nearest city
free_label = Nearest city
free = Cass, West Virginia
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Bald Knob in West Virginia
map_locator = West Virginia
map_first =
website = [http://www.cassrailroad.com/bald.html Bald Knob at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park]

Bald Knob is the highest point on Back Allegheny Mountain in Pocahontas County, West Virginia and is part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. At convert|4842|ft above sea level, it is the third-highest point in the state and also the third highest in the Allegheny Mountains.

Description

The mountaintop can be reached by hiking but is more commonly reached by riding the Cass Scenic Railroad, which terminates just below the summit. Its lofty elevation (only 21 feet lower than the highest point in the state, Spruce Knob), gives Bald Knob a unique and often inhospitable climate. Unlike the surrounding lower elevations which are populated by oak, hickory, birch, beech and maple, the summit dome is dominated by Red Spruce. Rowan, Eastern Hemlock, and Balsam Fir also occur at this altitude, though they are not as common as the spruce. The region was extensively logged from 1900 to 1960. Red Spruce, being a valuable natural resource, lured the timber companies into the area. By 1940, the mountain was virtually barren. The last harvest of Red Spruce and Eastern Hemlock on Bald Knob was in 1960. The summit was one of the last places logged by the Mower Lumber Company. Today, Red Spruce and other high elevation flora are making a comeback on the mountain; however, it will take many years for the area to fully recover. This era of West Virginia logging has been well documented in books such as "Tumult on the Mountain" and "On Beyond Leatherbark: The Cass Saga".

Climate

Bald Knob generally experiences mild summers and cold winters. The summit and west facing slopes of the mountain receive an average of 60 inches of precipitation per year and more than 160 inches of snow. The annual record snowfall is over 300 inches. Temperatures in the area have been known to reach -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40°C). One can expect winter conditions anytime between mid October to mid April. Snowfall has been observed in the higher elevations in every month except July and August. The last freeze usually occurs in mid-May and the first freeze occurs in mid to late September, however, freezing temperatures can occur anytime throughout the year. Current weather conditions for both the summit and base of the mountain at the town of Cass are available below.

Accessing Bald Knob

While most of Back Allegheny Mountain is owned by Monongahela National Forest, the summit at Bald Knob itself is part of Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Most visitors to Bald Knob come via train from Cass, but the site is also accessible by hiking in on Forest Road 267B. For safety reasons, hiking along the railroad grade itself is not permitted.

Miscellany

*The south face is the site of the headwaters of Leatherbark Run, West Virginia's highest stream.
*Until 2001, Bald Knob was thought to be the second highest point in the state, but a survey conducted by Snowshoe Ski Resort using GPS technology concluded that Thorny Flat, the highpoint of Cheat Mountain, roughly five miles south of Bald Knob, was approximately six feet higher though this has not been officially confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
*Bald Knob is the highest point reached by a standard gauge railroad east of the Mississippi River.

ee also

*Back Allegheny Mountain
*Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
*Monongahela National Forest

References

External links

* [http://www.cassrailroad.com/bald.html Bald Knob - Cass Scenic Railroad Site]
* [http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/local/2036:19?from=hyper_dropdown_localpark_results Current conditions at Bald Knob 4,842 ft.]
* [http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/local/24927?lswe=2036&lwsa=Weather36HourOutdoorsCommand&from=whatmenu_dropdown_outdoors Current conditions at Cass, WV 2,500 ft. (Bottom of the mountain)]