| Monument Knob Mountain/Rock |
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| Monument Knob   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Maryland, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.50078°N / 77.62334°W County: Washington Activities: Hiking Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter | Page By: birdny, Shelynn Created/Edited: Oct 30, 2007 / Jun 25, 2008 Object ID: 352045 Hits: 1575 Loading... Page Score: 88.27% - 10 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Note!!! Park Open AgainWashington Monument State Park will reopen today, about two weeks after a series of heavy thunderstorms packing high winds swept through the region and caused extensive damage to the 147-acre park near Boonsboro.
The park will reopen today at noon, and normal operating hours of 8 a.m. to sunset will resume Saturday June 21 2008
The park closed June 5, a day after violent winds knocked down trees and caused severe damage to the park's water treatment buildings and museum.
"To have a park closed for two weeks in the summer is devastating," park Manager Dan Spedden said.
Phone and electricity service also were disrupted, and fallen trees and branches blocked the main road and the hiking trail to the monument in several places, park officials have said.
The park is home to both the Washington Monument, a memorial to the nation's first president, and the Museum at Mount Vernon.
"All the hazards have been removed," Spedden said. "And other then the museum still being closed, the rest of the facility is back to being fully operational."
All of the artifacts had been taken out of the museum, said Al Preston, assistant manager of the South Mountain recreation area.
With some repairs still in progress, the final cost of the damage has not been determined.
"We had to get money appropriated, contractors hired and we had to get the contractors out into the field," Spedden said. "We actually had contractors out working by Tuesday, June 10."
According to Spedden, costs so far include a $15,000 bid for tree removal services.
"We had 30 trees - enormous in scale - blown down," Spedden said.
In addition to structural and tree damage, strong winds and rain disrupted park services.
"We had no power, no phone, no Internet service," Preston said.
Spedden said there were no evacuations and no injuries to visitors or park employees as a result of the storm.
"The youth group camping area was empty and that was a blessing because there were some trees down in that area," Spedden said.
Camp host Bill Hollands, who along with his wife helps get the camp ready for campers, decided to weather the storm in his on-site trailer.
Hollands said he and his wife "were sitting out in the front of our trailer and it shook and rattled."
Highlights  Looking North from the monument
Located on the north side of Turners Gap is Monument Knob along South Mountain in Washington County Maryland, just east of Boonsboro. Washington Monument State Park is the located here and is the site of the first monument in the country erected for George Washington. The stone tower was dedicated to the first president by the people of Boonsboro in 1827. The Appalachian Trail crosses through this park and passes the base of the monument. The entire park is located along the ridge of South Mountain on a section known as Monument Knob. The view from the stone tower is breathtaking.
There are youth group campsites available by reservation. The park has picnic shelters, playing fields and excellant birdwatching since the Cumberland Valley is a migratory bird flyway. An annual count of migrating birds of prey is made at the monument by bird enthusiats.
This area is well worth the visit if hiking along the Appalachian Trail or just for stopping here by itself. Unlike other places along South Mountain...High Rock, Raven Rock, Black Rock, Annapolis Rock, the only views here are really from the tower of the monument. So maybe it's not a true hiking destination. However, it does deserve to be noticed as a scenic and important part to the history of South Moutain for those hiking in the area.
Features
* Historic interest,
Washington Monument,
Appalachian Trail,
South Mountain Inn
Dahlgren Chapel
* Family fun
picnicking,
playground,
* Youth Camping
shelters,
* Hiking
Appalachian Trail
* Bird Watching
Washington Monument Hawk Watch
Appalachian TrailGetting there.Location - In Washington County, 4 miles east of Boonsboro, off Alternate Route 40. Travel East on Alternate 40 to Monument Road and turn left and continue 1 1/2 miles north of Alternate Route 40 on Monument Road to the park.
The Turn from Rt 40A onto Monument Rd. is smack in the middle of Turners Gap and the location of the Dahlgren Chapel, South Mountain Inn, and the location of Cival War fighting during the Battle of South Mountain.
Hiking to it can be done from any access point along the Appalachian Trail. The monument itself is just off of and can be seen from the Appalachian Trail. Historic Features of the AreaIn the mid-1700's, a tavern was built in the mountain pass called Turner's Gap. In 1876, Mrs. Dahlgren purchased the old tavern atop South Mountain and transformed it into a private summer residence for her family. The National Trail, later known as the National Road, is now US Route 40A and the tavern, once called Dahlgren Manor, is now the South Mountain Inn.
Mrs. Dahlgren was a devout Catholic and she soon immersed herself in missionary work on South Mountain. Perhaps motivated by her successes, she decided in 1881 to build a chapel across from her home. The church was consecrated "The Chapel of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart of Jesus" but was known simply as Dahlgren Chapel.
After invading Maryland in September 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee divided his army to march on and invest Harpers Ferry. The Army of the Potomac under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan pursued the Confederates to Frederick, Maryland, then advanced on South Mountain. On September 14, pitched battles were fought for possession of the South Mountain passes: Crampton’s, Turner’s, and Fox’s Gaps. By dusk the Confederate defenders were driven back, suffering severe casualties, and McClellan was in position to destroy Lee’s army before it could reconcentrate. McClellan’s limited activity on September 15 after his victory at South Mountain, however, condemned the garrison at Harpers Ferry to capture and gave Lee time to unite his scattered divisions at Sharpsburg. Union general Jesse Reno and Confederate general Samuel Garland, Jr., were killed at South Mountain. An estimated 4500 casualties were the result of the battle for South Mountain.
George Washington Monument State Park is the location of the first monument in the country erected to George Washington the "Father of our Country". The stone tower was dedicated to the first president by the people of Boonsboro in 1827.
Bird WatchingThere is a regular but fairly informal hawk-watch atop the monument. One or more counters is present many days, at least through the morning hours during migration. The hawk watch is located at the top of the tower, about a 1/4 mile walk uphill from the parking area. The view alone is worth the visit, but since the Cumberland Valley is a migatory bird flyway, the park offers excellent all around birdwatching opportunities.
Hawk Watch results can be found hereHikingThe Appalachian Trail runs straight through the park and passes the Dahlgren Chapel and South Mountain Inn. Parking can be had at the park itself or at South Mountain Inn by permission and often with a fee.
Or you can extend your hike by picking any point north or south along the Appalachian Trail and hiking to the monument. ContactWashington Monument State Park
c/o
Greenbrier State Park
21843 National Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713
(301)791-4767
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations Images
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Mountains of Maryland
