The Narrows, Water gap in Bedford County, United States
The Narrows is a water gap where the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River cuts through Evitts Mountain, creating a natural passage between rock walls. Two major highways follow this river corridor, taking advantage of the natural route through the mountainous terrain.
The rock formations visible here developed millions of years ago through massive folding and shifting of geological layers, which exposed different stone types. The river then carved its way through these layers, gradually widening the passage over millennia.
This passage has served as a major transportation corridor for people crossing the mountains for generations, shaping how the region connects its communities. The roads visible here remain central to how people move through the area today.
You can reach this area via the Pennsylvania Turnpike or U.S. Route 30, both of which provide good viewpoints from the road. The best time to observe the rock formations is during daylight with clear weather, as they are most visible from the roadside.
The roadcut for the turnpike exposed four distinct geological layers stacked on top of each other, offering a rare window into how the earth was built. These layers reveal how ancient rocks were folded and overturned, creating patterns visible to anyone traveling through the gap.
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