Hawksbill Mountain
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Hawksbill Mountain | |
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Hawksbill Mountain from the north |
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Elevation | 4,050 feet (1,234 metres) |
Location | Virginia, USA |
Range | Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains |
Prominence | 2,148 ft (655 m) [1] |
Coordinates | |
Topo map | USGS Big Meadows |
Type | granite |
Age of rock | unknown |
First ascent | unknown |
Easiest route | Hike |
Hawksbill Mountain is the tallest mountain in Shenandoah National Park with an elvation of 4,050 feet (1234 meters). Located on the Madison County, Page County line in Virginia. Hawksbill Mountain is a popular short hike just off of Skyline Drive.
A number of trails lead to the summit of Hawksbill, one of the most popular of which starts from the Upper Hawksbill Parking Area. The National Park Service has constructed a stone observation platform at the summit. Byrd's Nest No. 2, one of a series of shelters built in the park by Senator Harry Byrd, is nearby. The north face of Hawksbill Peak is a 2,500-foot drop into Timber Hollow, which is the largest elevation change in the park. The summit is one of the few places in Shenandoah National Park where one can find red spruce and balsam fir, trees more typical of Canada. Hawskbill peak is also the site of a Peregrin Falcon restoration project.