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Spruce Knob Menu | WV 4000 Peaks | Forum Postings | Weather | 3D Images | VRML World | Animation | Maps | Books | Postcards West Virginia Summits Above 4,000 Feet
Compiled by Ivan Ash.

GENERAL NOTES:

Col and Summit Elevation Estimates: In the case where an elevation is not explicitly available I have used an elevation halfway between the two adjacent contour lines for cols (saddles). Thus, if a col lies between contour lines of 3840 and 3880 feet on the USGS map, I have used 3860 feet as the col elevation. Similarly, if a summit lies above the 4520 foot contour, but there is no 4560 foot contour, I have used 4540 feet. If anyone has more exact data that is verifiable, I would welcome being informed. In a subsequent version of this list I will try to indicate where these extrapolations and interpolations are used. In the meantime the user can determine where this has been done by consulting the topos. See the next note as an example of where this might be important. Also, note that in some cases the contour interval is 20 feet rather than 40 feet. Note that a double asterisk (**) indicates a summit whose elevation has been extrapolated.

The 200 Foot Col Rule: This is a means, admittedly somewhat arbitrary, but with several precedents, of distinguishing "true" summits from spurs or "minor" peaks. This "rule" states that for two adjacent peaks, the lower of the two must be separated from the higher by a col (saddle) that is at least 200 feet below its summit for it to be considered a separate, qualified peak. In other words, a summit must have a minimum 200 foot prominence in order to qualify. This rule is widely accepted in the mountains of New York and New England. A similar criteria, but using 300 feet, is used widely in the western United States. Obviously anyone who wishes could apply their own criteria.

Possible Qualifiers. Summits that are starred (*) are possible qualifiers. For these, the data from the topographic maps do not give the exact elevation of the summit or of the col, or both. Instead, the values can be ascertained to be between the elevations as indicated by the enclosing (cols) or above the highest shown (summits) contour lines as discussed in the first paragraph above. This leaves a range such that some values of the possible combinations of col and summit elevations would qualify and some would not. More exact knowledge of col and summit elevations would resolve this issue.

Naming Convention for Unnamed Summits: I have designated the unnamed summits in the form "Z0xxx", where "xxx", is a number beginning with 001 and ascending in order as needed. I know that the convention is to use the elevation in combination with the location to designate such summits, but, in working with the large number of summits in this state, I found too many summits with the same elevation and deemed using the elevation plus the location in latitude and longitude as too unwieldy. One example is Z0020, -26, -60 and -93 at 4260 feet. The letter "Z" was chosen so all these unnamed peaks would fall at the end of an alphabetic list, again in the interest of manageability. The use of the scheme discussed under Multiple Use of Names may help resolve this.

Named vs. Unnamed Summits: There are several peaks for which elevations are given in the databases, but under the name using the word "mountain". Yet the typeface used is that for ridges or ranges that have several peaks, even though, in some cases there is one peak. I have stuck with my convention considering peaks to be called knobs, etc., and any name using "mountain not to indicate the summit, but the whole mountain (range). This has created some more summits with names of the form Z0xxx. All those beginning at Z0100 and up, except Z0113 (173), are such. Some with a lower number are also. The USGS maps and data base are not at all consistent. There is at least one case, Sugar Creek Mountain (38), where the word "mountain" is used for a summit with the explicit use of the correct typeface. Mt. Point Crayon (6) also uses the "summit" typeface on the USGS quads.

Shared Summits: Note that there are several summits, such as Cow Knob, that are exactly on the state line between West Virginia and Virginia. These should count for either state. Also, in some cases counties, or, at least in one case, two quads, share a summit.

Ridges and Summits: In the USGS database, and elsewhere, a summit is sometimes listed with two names. One example is Bald Knob (3) and Cabin Mountain. If you examine the USGS data, you will find that they both have the same coordinates. In most cases the mountain name actually appears to be the name of a ridge or a range, rather than the summit. Most summits are called "knobs", though there are exceptions. Some "mountains" do not have a corresponding "knob". These I have listed as "mountain", though each possibly should be designated as "unnamed" summit (Zxxx) of a given ridge or mountain range. In a subsequent version of this list I will attempt to identify the ridges or "mountain ranges" with the summits, for example, as "Bald Knob of Cabin Mountain".

Multiple Use of Names: In the case of different summits with the same name I have added a number after each, using "1" for the highest, "2" for the next highest and on. Using, in addition, the name of the mountain or ridge associated with the specific summit would allow dispensing with the numerical ranking with the name: "Bald Knob (3)" would become "Bald Knob of Cabin Mountain" . Please notice that some named and numbered peaks, such as Bald Knob (2), are not on the list. This is because the numbers were assigned before the qualification according to the 200 foot col rule was applied. Bald Knob (2) did not qualify under this rule. In a later version I may include, as a separate tabulation, all the named peaks that did not qualify so they also can be examined.

Latitude and Longitude: Remember that west longitudes are to be entered with a minus sign.

Location Data: Some of the latitudes and longitudes listed here may be less accurate than others. Feel free to check and send me corrections.

Summit Elevation Data: The elevation for some of the named peaks may be suspect in that some of the summits may be listed at an elevation which is too low. Several have contour lines enclosing the summit which encompass a "large" area, yet the summit elevation is given as equal to the highest contour line shown. This would imply that the summit is very flat. I find this difficult to credit. A dagger (†) indicates some of the summits explcitly listed at the elevation of the enclosing contour.
In addition, it may be noted that some of the elevations for peaks that are taken from the data on the topos, may be slightly low. This is surmised from the example of Spruce Knob which is 4863 feet, but some mistake it for 4861 feet because the nearby benchmark is at 4861, two feet short of the actual summit. This, possibly, could be true for other given elevations near summits. Unnamed peaks with elevations given "at" or near the summit may also have elevations for benchmarks or other references that are not actually at the very highest point. Nevertheless, I have used these elevations as if they were the actual summit elevation.

Cautionary Note on Legal Access: Some of these summits may be on private property. I have made no attempt to determine which, if any, may be in this category. Each individual who wishes to visit a peak should be responsible for determining the accessibility of the summit. Even those summits which are in public areas - National Forests, State Parks or others - may have some access limitations. For instance, Spruce Knob has some access limitations at this time. It would be wise to determine any limits on accessibility of an area you wish to visit.

Helpful sources: Two very helpful sources have been the web site topozone.com and the set of map CDs, TopoUSA™ by DeLorme® as well as DeLorme's CyberAtlas which was located on their web site (since replaced). The list of West Virginia 4000 summits compiled by Roger Rowlett from the USGS data which was previously posted at this site was a valuable check and is responsible for identifying a peak that I had missed.

Acknowledgements: Many people were of great help to me in compiling this list. Among them are Tom Sawyer who encouraged me and egged me on. I thank DeLorme for their help and assistance. Thanks also to Roger Rowlett who tolerated some false starts after agreeing to host this list. Of course, I am thankful to my wife, Angela, who put up with strange hours and many instances of my being totally absorbed in this project when she would have liked me to attend to other matters. Since this list was posted I have received particularly valuable help from Steve Gruhn and Glen Bock. Glen Bock was particularly helpful in identifying needed coordinate corrections.

Changes: The major changes in this version of the list are the deletion of Z0090, which turned out to be a duplicate, and coordinates changes for Weiss Knob and Stuart Knob, both of which were off in latitude by a whole degree. There have been many smaller coordinates changes for other peaks. Also, I have added references to the mountain in which each summit is located, where it seems clear or I am able to make an educated guess. See the numbered notes for additional comments on this topic.

Disclaimer Use this information at your own risk. I accept no responsibility for any problems, harm or damage resulting from its use. Any data should be independently verified before it is used.

Corrections, additions, deletions, suggestions are solicited. Please send to Ivan Ash at w8fne@arrl.net with references so I can verify the data. It certainly is possible that I have missed a qualifying peak, listed an unqualified summit, or that better data is available.

Citations: I would appreciate it if any use of data from this table would be accompanied by an appropriate reference to this website and credit given to Ivan Ash at w8fne@arrl.net .

NUMBERED NOTES:

1. Sugar Creek Mountain. (38) In this case, the USGS topos have both the "range" (or "ridge") and the summit labeled with the same name. See, also, Z0103 of Snowy Mountain, Note 3.
2. Z0103. (40 ) Summit is entirely in Pendleton County, WV. Only the SW slope is in Highland County, VA, so this should not count for Virginia, even though the USGS has it listed for both states.
3. Z0103. (40 ) Although there is only one name listed, it seems to apply to the entire ridge, in the spread of the name and the typeface, unlike Sugar Creek Mountain (Note 1) where the name seems explicitly to have been applied to both the ridge and the summit.
4. Z0074 (43). The 4480 contour line enclosing the summit seems so small that it is unlikely that the extrapolation for the summit elevation is accurate. Therefore, I have here used the contour line elevation in exception to my general practice. Same for Z0085 (81) with the 4280 contour line.
5. Z0074 (43). It is unclear as to which of the nearby ridges, Frank Mountain or Buffalo Ridge, this summit belongs.
6. Bear Mountain (45), Brierpatch Mountain (52). From the typeface used and the absence of any other names, I infer that these are the actual names of the summits even though they use the word "mountain".
7. Gaudineer Knob (46). It is unclear whether this is the northernmost summit of Back Allegheny Mountain or the southernmost summit of Shavers Mountain.
8. Mount Port Crayon (6), Gaudineer Knob (46), Job Knob (49), Cunningham Knob (57), Gay Knob (62), Z0057 (65), Z0022 (70), Z0027 (75), Z0094 (80), Mikes Knob (88) Z0060 (91), Z0020 (92), Z0029 (101), Z0013 (117), Z0083 (121), Z0081 (132), Z0092 (141), Z0084 (169), Mad Tom (154), Bickle Knob (166), Stuart Knob (167), Z0075 (168) Z0077 (169). There appear to be no associated named mountains on the USGS maps of any scale.
9. Gibson Knob (50). Appears to be the eastern end of Buzzard Ridge, though there is a possibility it could be the southern end of Slaty Ridge.
10. Reddish Knob (58). It seems clear that both may apply with California Ridge being a spur ridge joining the Shenandoah Mountain at Reddish Knob.
11. Bald Knob (61). It seems clear that both may apply with Stone Camp Mountain being a spur ridge joining Cabin Mountain at Bald Knob.
12. Grassy Knob (64). It seems clear that both may apply with Rockcamp Ridge being a spur ridge joining Old Field Mountain at Grassy Knob.
13. Bother Knob (68). At juncture of Bother Ridge and Little Pond Ridge.
14. Z0095 (73), Z0060 (91). These may be summits on Day Mountain.
15. Spruce Mountain (74). It is not clear whether Spruce Mountain is the name of the summit, the ridge, or both
16. Z0106 (76) Z0060 (91). There are at least two, possibly four, summits on Day Mountain, so I chose to believe the term "Day Mountain" refers to the ridge, not the summit. The summits are Locust Knob, Z0106 and, possibly, Z0060 and Z0095. See note 14. Locust Knob is listed as 4280 feet; thus it is lower than Z0106 and the col is not deep enough. However, Locust Knob is one of those peaks whose summit is listed at the enclosing contour, so it might be higher than Z0106. See Summit Elevation Data, above.
17. Z0107 (77). The label "Burner Mountain is in the typeface typically used for naming ranges or ridges rather than summits. Therefore I take the label to apply to the range, rather than the summit. Of course, the use on the maps could be inconsistent.
18. Yokum Knob (84). Possibly the southernmost peak of Rich Mountain, though Bayard Knob, further to the south may be the southernmost. There is some possibility it is the southernmost peak of Little Middle Mountain, but it is separated from it by a stream and not from Rich Mountain.
19. Z0020 (92) may be the north end of Grassy Mountain. At least there seems to be a continuing ridge from the area identified as "Grassy Mountain" to Z0020. Z0110 (113) is definitely a summit of Grassy Mountain. The typeface for "Grassy Mountain" is consistent with that used for mountains or ridges, not summits, so I used the name Z0110 for the summit, rather than "Grassy Mountain".
20. Z0024 (93). Leading Ridge is a hook-shaped ridge, curling around the head of the North Fork (of) Big Run.
21. Bell Knob (115). Both names seem to indicate that this is a "front" range. I am guessing that the application of the name is appropriate. Both terms seem to apply to the same general area. Any further input would be appreciated.
22. Pointy Knob (116) lies near the southern end of Canaan Mountain and at the east end of the arch of Mozark Mountain.
23. Beech Knob (118) and Little Beech Knob (124) appear to be at the eastern extremity of Blue Ridge.
24. Bayard Knob (126) may be either the southernmost peak of Rich Mountain or the northernmost peak of Burner Mountain. See, also, note 18.
25. Z0011 (130). Probably the northernmost peak of Little Middle Mountain.
26. Z0059 (133). This is the northernmost 4,000 foot peak on a continuous ridge from the area labeled "Day Mountain". The ridge includes Z0060, Z0095 and a spur to Big Spruce Knob.
27. Z0092 (141). Possible alternative high point coordinates: 38.2914°, -80.3177°
28. Mingo Knob (142). Appears to be on a south bending extension of Elk Mountain.

Last Updated on 2001-02-23
By Ivan Ash