The Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau has erected signs on the Northeast Extension of the Turnpike and several other routes that proclaim “Welcome to the Pocono Mountains.” While this may be good marketing, visitors might wonder where the mountains are.
What we have is the “Pocono Plateau,” a large flat raised area in Carbon, Monroe, Wayne, and Pike counties in Pennsylvania. If you are on the Turnpike a few miles north of the Mahoning Interchange, you will drive up a slope that is miles long. If you are leaving Jim Thorpe on Route 903, you will also travel up a very long incline. You are going up to the plateau. You may notice large areas of swampy or boggy areas. That is because you are in a flat area with really bad drainage.
I think the Pocono Plateau is a fascinating area, full of interesting flora and fauna. Where it ends, to the east along the Delaware River, you will find a series of spectacular falls as creeks cascade down from the higher elevation.
I understand that “Welcome to the Pocono Plateau” just doesn’t have the same cachet as “Welcome to the Pocono Mountains.” I’m just warning you not to be disappointed when you can’t find them.
Thanks for the information. I always knew that they weren't really mountains, not really like the blue mountain. Never knew it is really called the Pocono Plateau. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt does have some amazing bogs, however, including the Long Pond area, which has plants normally found in Canada. The cranberry bogs are amazing as well.
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