Blue Mountain, also called the Kittatinny, First or Endless Mountains, is the northen border of the Lehigh Valley. This mountain range is characterized by its even-crested long mountain range with several gaps.

It is approximately 1,400 - 1,600 feet in elevation at the crests.

It is about 408 - 438 million years old (Silurian geologic period).

This area is known as the Tuscarora conglomerate and sandstone formation, and is composed of mainly sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

In 1898 the Industrial Revolution came to the Blue Mountains in the form of zinc plants. The Palmerton Zinc Industrial Complex, located on the north side of the Blue Mountain Range, was one of the largest zinc producers in the world with two separate zinc smelting plants. Over 2,000 acres were left without vegetation. Today about half of the directly affected area has been able to grow some trees and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has been working to try to clean up other affects of the furnace, such as possible water or air contamination. Evidence of the pollution can be seen from the Northeast Extension PA Turnpike right after passing north through the Lehigh Tunnel.

The Appalachian Trail, a famous trail measuring over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine, runs along the Blue Mountain. This photo was taken at Resort Point at the Delaware Water Gap. The trail also passes Wind Gap, Lehigh Water Gap, and Hawk Mountain.   Check out the Bake Oven Knob hawk count at http://www.wildlifeinfo.org/bok.htm