I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
We have all likely played, “king of the mountain” in our youth, but those that take a climb up the renowned Black Mountain are in for a real treat. There is so much to see and experience along the way to this special part of our state. This ancient mountain is 4145’ above mean sea level, which is the highest point in Kentucky. In ways, this makes it the most epic mountain in the Bluegrass State, as well as the highest. Why?
Well, first off, the view from different areas is truly breathtaking. The hike up the mountain is a wonderful way to experience the view from different angles and directions.
Route 160, east of Lynch takes travelers to a turn off for the summit, which is located in Harlan County near the Virginia border. This gives us a crisp clean view of both Kentucky and Virginia.
The road leading to the high point offers a beautiful, scenic drive. During the fall, the colors are breathtaking. In the summer, the lush shades of green are like a breath of fresh air.
This is the Summit, which doesn't look that attractive from this angle. However, if you happen to be standing there, you get a clear view of three states.
This is another gorgeous look at Black Mountain in the fall. Every season changes like the stroke of an artist's brush, creating vividly colored dreamscapes.
The Black Mountain is home to a Northern Hardwood Forest at its higher elevations. These lush woodlands were once used by Appalachian settlers to build their cabins and tools. In 1896, a fire swept through the mountain after too much logging, causing devastation.
Mountain sunshine gives us clear days and clear views. The Smokey Mountains along Tennessee and North Carolina are clearly visible when the sun is shining.
There is a large off-road adventure area that features around 150 miles of trails that spread across 8,000 acres of the most rugged section of the mountain. The area was created by logging and strip mining roads from long ago.
The mountain is also home to quite a few rare plants and animals, such as the Hobblebush, Red Elderberry---wWhich makes fabulous wine and pie---and the majestic Black Bear.
The beautifully epic Black Mountain range in Kentucky is truly a site to behold. There has been some irreparable damage done over the decades with strip and coal mining, but the mountain still maintains its majestic beauty. It is hard to take that from a mountain, and this one happens to be a strong part of our heritage. There is a lot of history across these woods and rocky bluffs. What is your favorite spot to visit in the Kentucky Mountains?
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