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Ice Mountain in Hampshire County, West
Virginia is notable among West Virginia mountains for a geologic quirk
that keeps the mountain’s talus (a slopping collection of rocky
debris at the base of the mountain) cold enough to support boreal plants
even in the middle of summer. Throughout the winter, ice forms deep
in the crevices of the talus. When the West Virginia weather turns warm
the dense, cold air wafts up from the trapped ice and escapes through
approximately 60 natural vents, creating the refrigeration effect.
In addition to visiting the 149-acre Ice Mountain Preserve, guest can
take a hike on one of the 3 hiking trails on Ice Mountain. These trails
allow hikers to see the areas interesting sandstone cliffs, rugged forests
and the Preserves rare plant area (with dwarf dogwood and bristly rose).
Guests should keep their eyes peeled for native West Virginia wildlife,
like deer, raccoons and the occasional black bear. Bird watchers may
get a glimpse of neo-tropical migrant birds like warblers, vireos and
thrushes. |
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