West Peak (New Haven County, Connecticut)

:"Should not be confused with West Rock, another traprock summit in Connecticut"
Infobox Mountain
Name = West Peak
Photo = West Peak.jpg
Photo size = 180px
Caption = View from West Peak
Elevation = convert|1024|ft|m|0|lk=on
Location = Meriden, Connecticut
Range = Hanging Hills / Metacomet Ridge
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Coordinates = coord|41|33|45|N|72|50|40|W |type:mountain_region:US |display=title,inline
Topographic

Type = fault-block; igneous
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Age = 200 million yrs.
Last eruption =
First ascent =
Easiest route = Metacomet Trail
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West Peak, convert|1024|ft|m|0|lk=on, of the Hanging Hills, is the highest traprock peak in the state of Connecticut. The peak steeply above the city of Meriden convert|700|ft|m|0|lk=on below and is characterized by its vertical cliffs and sweeping views of southern Connecticut, Long Island Sound, and the Berkshires to the west. On a clear day, Mount Tom of Massachusetts can be seen 47 miles to the north.

The 51 mile Metacomet Trail crosses West Peak. Activities enjoyed on the peak include Hiking, picnicking, and bird watching (West Peak is an important raptor migration path).

Edwin Howard Armstrong, who invented FM radio and who was a network radio pioneer, used West Peak for the location of one of the first FM radio broadcasts in 1939. His original 70' tall radio mast is still there. Currently West Peak is home to six FM broadcast stations, including WPKT, WWYZ, WKSS, WDRC-FM, WPHH and WHCN.

ee also

*Metacomet Ridge
* Adjacent summits:

References

* [http://www.ctwoodlands.org/ "Connecticut Walk Book"] 17th ed. Connecticut Forest and Park Association.
* [http://www.twiar.org/aaarchives/WB009.txt This Week in Amateur Radio] Cited Dec. 13, 2007

External links

* [http://www.cityofmeriden.org/ The City of Meriden]