Trimble Knob, An Extinct Volcano In The Shenandoah Valley, Is One Of Virginia's Most Fascinating Natural Wonders
By Beth|Published May 31, 2020
×
Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Highland County, Virginia is renowned for its abundance of natural beauty. Exploring the area, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains framed by picturesque sugar maples and lively rivers. Keep exploring and you might even stumble upon the most unique attraction of them all: an extinct volcano known as Trimble Knob. Thankfully, this volcano isn’t at risk of erupting anytime soon. Yet archeological evidence suggests that it’s among the youngest volcanoes in the U.S. Here’s more on Trimble Knob, a fascinating attraction in the Shenandoah Valley.
Trimble Knob can be found in Highland County, Virginia, just southwest of the picturesque town of Monterey.
While the landmark may seem somewhat modest compared to other volcanos of the world, it's striking in its simplicity. The conical shape appears on otherwise flat terrain and is made up of basalt, volcanic rock from the Eocene age.
The volcano measures 3123 feet above sea level at its peak, which can easily be spotted from Route 220. It sits just 229 feet higher than the surrounding town of Monterey.
It's important to note that the landmark is on private land and therefore, it's not possible to climb to the top.
The only other volcano in Virginia — photographed below — is Mole Hill near Dayton. This volcano is also believed to be from the Eocene epoch of the Paleogene period.
Who knew Virginia had such a fascinating volcanic history?
Have you seen Trimble Knob or Mole Hill before? If so, we’d love to hear about your experiences there! For more fascinating natural attractions in Virginia, you might be interested in taking our hidden gems road trip.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
