Bear Pond Mountains

Bear Pond Mountains

From left to right: Kasies Knob, Two Top and Cross Mountain.
Highest point
Peak Cross Mountain
Elevation 2,062 ft (628 m)
Geography
Country United States
State/Province

Pennsylvania,

Maryland,
Range coordinates 39°43′N 77°59′W / 39.72°N 77.98°W / 39.72; -77.98Coordinates: 39°43′N 77°59′W / 39.72°N 77.98°W / 39.72; -77.98
Geology
Orogeny Alleghenian
Age of rock Ordovician

The Bear Pond Mountains are a sub-range in the Appalachian Mountains, that straddle Pennsylvania and Maryland in the United States. These mountains are a part of the Ridge and Valley Appalachians and reach their highest point at Cross Mountain (Pennsylvania) 2,062 feet (628 m). A unique geologic feature known as the "Punchbowl" occurs in this range. This feature was created by the weathered shales of the Ordovician age in the center of a south-plunging anticline, having been eroded to expose a large amphitheater like feature (punchbowl). Cross and Hearthstone Mountain are made of hard resistant quartzite of the Tuscarora Formation of the Silurian age, which form the walls of the bowl.

Whitetail Ski Resort is also located in this range on Two Top Mountain.

The chief summits of the Bear Pond Mountains are the following:

References

Alan R. Geyer (1979) "Outstanding Geologic Features of Pennsylvania", Geological Survey of Pennsylvania


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