Stone Mountain (North Carolina)

Stone Mountain is the centerpiece of Stone Mountain State Park. It is a dome of exposed granite (specifically a quartz diorite to granodiorite) of Devonian age, which has intruded into the gneiss of the Precambrian Alligator Back Formation.[1] It rises sharply over 600 feet (183 m) above the surrounding terrain. The mountain, which has an elevation of 2,305 feet (706 m) above sea level, is known for its barren sides and distinctive brown-gray color, and can be seen for miles. The mountain offers some of the best rock climbing in North Carolina, and the park's creeks and streams feature excellent brook trout fishing.

Stone Mountain c. 1910
Stone Mountain
The granite face of Stone Mountain.
Highest point
Elevation2,305 ft (703 m)
Prominence600 ft (180 m)
Geography
LocationAlleghany / Wilkes counties, North Carolina, U.S.
Parent rangeBlue Ridge Mountains
Climbing
Easiest routeHike or rock climb
Designated1974
Sample of the granodiorite. Scale bar in upper right is 1 cm.

Because the mountain is the best example of a monadnock in massive granite in North Carolina it was designated a National Natural Landmark in May 1974.[2]

References
  1. North Carolina Geological Survey, 1985, Geologic map of North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, scale 1:500000.
  2. National Park Service. "Stone Mountain: National Natural Landmark". Retrieved June 20, 2008.


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