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Wolf Creek
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Walnut Mtn
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Bluff Mountain
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Lemon Gap Created with TOPO!, ©2006 National Geographic Maps, All Rights Reserved
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trial logging so the mountain remains remote and a haven for wildlife. Secluded coves on all sides of the mountain provide rich plant and wildlife habitat. The mountain features striking rock outcrops, clear pristine streams, and waterfalls that add interesting highlights to the area. Bluff Mountain is very popular with hikers, nature enthusiasts, and hunters. The area hosts rare species, notably excellent populations of Largeleaf Waterleaf. North Carolina recognizes a Natural Heritage area near Big Rock Springs. Steep slopes and cliff environments on the eastern side of the Mountain Treasure area could support rare plants dependent on this habitat. A verified old-growth site and at least four candidate old-growth sites are within the area. A Forest Service large old-growth patch covers much of the northern sections of the area, and small old growth patches are dispersed throughout the Big Rock Springs area. The area is rich in trail access with the AT winding from southwest to northeast across the long dimension of the area. Other trails intersect the AT from both directions providing opportunities for shorter hikes. A large timber sale was proposed in the area in the mid 1990s. The proposal sparked the formation of a broad coalition of groups and individuals who opposed this project under the “Don’t Cut Bluff ” campaign. As a result of this effort, including a petition, wide press coverage and considerable citizen involvement, the Forest Service drastically revised the 70
North Carolina’s Mountain Treasures
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timber sale. In the end, it targeted only 10 acres in the pristine portion of the mountain and the scope of the logging was designed to benefit wildlife and recreation, with a parking area and trailhead to provide better trail access in the Shut-In portion of the area. The anti-logging campaign also gave rise to what has become an annual event, the Bluff Mountain Music Festival.
Red elder is an uncommon high elevation shrub that grows along the Appalachians. hoto by Lamar Marshall