MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

LAND

MOUNTAINS

Geology & Geography

Mountains (by county)

Physiographic Map of Maryland

Hiker in Catoctin Mountain National Park near Thurmont, Frederick County, Maryland, April 2004. Photo by Elizabeth W. Newell.

The mountains of Maryland captured the nation's attention in September 1862, when Confederate forces crossed the Potomac into western Maryland. The first clash between Union and Confederate forces north of the Potomac occurred at Sugarloaf Mountain, in Frederick County, when elements of the U.S. Signal Corps. encountered a Confederate cavalry brigade under General Wade Hampton on September 6, 1862.

A week later, on September 14, Union and Confederate forces clashed at South Mountain in Washington County. Confederate General Lee had divided his forces to seize objectives, including resources at Hagerstown and Frederick. In an effort to stall the approaching Union army, the Confederates blockaded the passes at South Mountain long enough for Lee to consolidate his force. In this, the Confederate Army was successful, and McClellan’s Army of the Potomac encountered the combined Army of Northern Virginia three days later, at Antietam Creek.

In the twentieth century, Catoctin Mountain in Frederick County was chosen by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to be the site of a presidential retreat. Construction of the complex began in 1935. Named Shangri-La by President Roosevelt when he first used it to escape the heat of Washington, DC, summer in 1942, it retained the name until 1953. Then, it was renamed Camp David by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to honor his grandson. Still used today, Camp David offers the serving President a natural setting for either rest or conducting duties of Chief Executive.

The Appalachian Plateaus Province holds layers of sedimentary rock, and deposits of coal. This region, comprised of Garrett and part of Allegany counties, contains most of the highest peaks in the State. These western mountains tend towards coniferous forest coverage, and even contain a number of small peat bogs in the higher altitudes. Although more common to Canada, and more northern latitudes, some bogs are found upon Maryland slopes due to elevation, and the cooler climate. The most notable is the Cranesville Swamp Preserve in western Garrett County. The bog is found at 2,547 feet above sea level. Also within the Appalachian Plateaus Province lies Hoye-Crest of Backbone Mountain, the highest elevation in the State, at 3,360 feet above sea level. Backbone Mountain holds Maryland’s largest surviving remnant of old-growth forest at Potomac State Forest along Crabtree Creek.

Though it contains fewer of the highest peaks, the Ridge and Valley Province still contains many heights more than one thousand feet above sea level. Made up of Washington County and part of Allegany County, the Province’s highest point is Warrior Mountain, which climbs to 2,185 feet above sea level. Limestone outcroppings and shale are common throughout this region. This province is also the location of one of the most notable rock exposures in the State. With construction completed in 1968, the Sideling Hill Road Cut offers a cross section of Sideling Hill, exposing strata layering in sharp definition.

The smallest of the geologic provinces, the Blue Ridge Province is made up of the western third of Frederick County, and a very narrow corridor along Washington County’s eastern border. The tallest peak in the Blue Ridge Province is Quirauk Mountain. Quartzites and metamorphic rocks are found in this region, as are the common sedimentary components common to Maryland.

ALLEGANY COUNTY

• Breakneck Hill (1,872 ft.)
• Collier Mountain (1,460 ft.)
• Dans Mountain (2,898 ft.)
• Evitts Mountain (1,959-2,260 ft.)
• Martin Mountain (1,974 ft.)
• Nicholas Mountain (1,760 ft.)
• Polish Mountain (1,783 ft.)
• Ragged Mountain (1,740 ft.)
• Town Hill (2,039 ft.)
• Warrior Mountain (2,185 ft.)
• Wills Mountain (1,960+ ft.)

• Bartman Hill (1,414 ft.)
• Bob's Hill (1,747 ft.)
• Carrick Knob (1,629 ft.)
• Cascade Miller Hill (1,374 ft.)
• Catoctin Mountain (1,870 ft.)
• Eagle Mountain (1,680 ft.)
• High Knob (1,531 ft.)
• Little Piney Mountain (1,304 ft.)
• Piney Mountain (1,691 ft.)
• Round Top Mountain (1,702 ft.)
• South Mountain (1,772 ft.)
• Sugar Loaf Mountain (1,282 ft.)

• Backbone Mountain (3,360 ft.)
• Big Savage Mountain (2,991 ft.)
• Blossom Hill (2,620 ft.)
• Contrary Knob (2,680 ft.)
• Conway Hill (2,760 ft.)
• Dung Hill (2,732 ft.)
• Elbow Mountain (2,694 ft.)
• Elder Hill (2,826 ft.)
• Fort Hill (2,600 ft.)
• George Mountain (3,004 ft.)
• Lewis Knob (2,960 ft.)
• Little Mountain (2,920 ft.)
• Little Savage Mountain (2,817 ft.)
• Marsh Hill (3,073 ft.)
• Meadow Mountain (2,959 ft.)
• Mount Nebo (2,604 ft.)
• Negro Mountain (3,075 ft.)
• Pine Hill (2,500 ft.)
• Rich Hill (2,842 ft.)
• Ridgley Hill (2,617 ft.)
• River Hill (2,700 ft.)
• Roman Nose Mountain (3,140 ft.)
• Roth Rock Mountain (2,860 ft.)
• Salt Block Mountain (2,707 ft.)
• Snaggy Hill (3,040 ft.)
• Walnut Hill (2,629 ft.)
• Winding Ridge (2,775 ft.)
• Whites Knob (2,940 ft.)
• Zehner Hill (3,000 ft.)

• Fairview Mountain (1,690 ft.)
• Hearthstone Mountain (2,021 ft.)
• Johnson Mountain (1,120 ft.)
• Powell Mountain (1,548 ft.)
• Quirauk Mountain (2,140 ft.)
• Rickard Mountain (1,480 ft.)
• Roundtop Hill (1,388 ft.)
• Short Hill (1,080 ft.)
• Sword Mountain (1,530+ ft.)
• Sideling Hill (1,760 ft.)
• South Mountain (1,772 ft.)

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