Situated in the eastern Tri-state area, where Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky converge, lies a 600′ high saddle that has seen a ton of human habitation wander through. The Appalachian Mountains, created when Africa lost control and slammed into the North American craton creating a 2,000 mile long Continental Divide that sent rain either flowing east into the Atlantic Ocean or west into the Gulf of Mexico via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. This barrier made it difficult for nomadic people who carried all their vital supplies on their backs or pack animals. However, roughly in the middle of this rocky fence was a much lower and less steep hill separating the 2 watersheds. It was known as the Cumberland Gap by English-speaking settlers, who utilized this old Indian trail to break on through to the other side (Jim Morrison of the Doors must have been part Cherokee). This pile of dirt resting on 2 steeper, higher ridges became a trail that was easy to ascend traveling on the inclined valleys created where the saddle intersects the original mountain chain. These 4 valleys are at a lower angle and, thus, make it easier to transverse. So, what caused the shorter saddle to be formed? Just on the west side of this gap lies the city of Middleboro, Kentucky, which is a proven meteorite impact site. It seems the whole town lies within a crater floor. Looking at its location, it is easy to surmise that the incoming asteroid either knocked down the height coming in from the east or it blew the top off that ridge with its collision mass, if it came in from the west. To see this more clearly, drive to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park exiting off Kentucky 25 East. There is a park road which will take you up to the top a Pinnacle Overlook where you can walk to a spectacular viewpoint and see the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, the Cumberland Gap saddle, and the crater situated town of Middleboro below. It’s an awesome overlook and worth a trip.
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