Blue Ridge Mountain

Blue Ridge Mountain, also known as Blue Mountain, is the colloquial name of the westernmost ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The Appalachian Trail traverses the entire length of the mountain along its western slope and crest.GeographyThe mountain extends from the Potomac River in the north to Chester Gap in the south. Along this section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountain comprises the sole ridge of the chain in the immediate vicinity and contains few spur ridges or peaks. The notable exceptions are the Bull Run and Catoctin mountains, which lie approximately 20mi to the east across the Loudoun Valley, and Short Hill Mountain, located 4mi to the east, which runs parallel to the Blue Ridge for 12mi near its northern terminus. To the west of the mountain is the lower Shenandoah Valley.Blue Ridge Mountain is noticeably lower in elevation than other sections of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The southern section of the mountain contains the highest peaks, and the ridge gradually loses elevation as it gets closer to the Potomac. Elevations in the gaps are typically around 1000ft, while peaks range from 1200ft to 2300ft. Across the Potomac the ridge continues as Elk Ridge in Maryland.