Poor Mountain | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 3,928 ft (1,197 m)[1] |
Prominence | 1,448 ft (441 m)[2] |
Coordinates | 37°10′46″N 80°09′46″W / 37.17956°N 80.162753°W[1] |
Geography | |
Location | Montgomery / Roanoke counties, Virginia, U.S. |
Parent range | Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains |
Topo map | USGS Elliston |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Road |
Poor Mountain is a ridge of high peaks located in Roanoke County, Virginia and Montgomery County, Virginia. At 3,928 feet, Poor Mountain is the tallest mountain in the immediate area.
Poor Mountain has the largest known population, by far, of piratebush (Buckleya distichophylla), a plant which draws nutrients from the roots of Eastern Hemlock trees.[3] Piratebush is found only in limited numbers at a few other locations in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.[4] The Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve has been established to protect this population.
Twelve O'clock Knob is located adjacent to Poor Mountain in Roanoke County directly south of Salem, Virginia. The north slope of the ridgeline formed by Poor Mountain and Twelve O'clock Knob marks the southwestern boundary of the Roanoke Valley. Fort Lewis Mountain is located directly across the valley from Poor Mountain.