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Woods Mountain
Mackey Mtn
Created with TOPO!, ©2006 National Geographic Maps, All Rights Reserved
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Woods Mountain Approximate size: 12,676 acres Roadless acreage: 9,606 acres Old growth acreage: 1,726 acres Location: McDowell County, NC, 10 miles northwest of Marion; Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest USGS Topographic Maps: Celo, Little Switzerland, Marion West, Old Fort This is a major roadless area, giving protection to a long segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway and its viewshed. Many of the steep, narrow valleys contain old-growth forest. The high percentage of untouched forest makes hikes here a pleasant experience. The rare turkey beard and the unusual chinquapin are common in the area. Woods Mountain has the only population of mountain golden heather outside of Linville Gorge. This species is islanded on treeless, rocky summits that are maintained by fire. Other areas of botanical interest include the rich cove forests at Bee Rock Creek and “Nettle Patch.” The main trail through the area is a segment of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It follows a high ridge to a point near the top of Woods Mountain itself, from which there is a side trail to an old tower site. The trail then descends to a crossing of U.S. 221 near the Woodlawn Work Center. As in so many other areas, the Forest Service has aban80
North Carolina’s Mountain Treasures
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doned a large percentage of the trails here. Hikers have lost the Armstrong Creek Trail and a return trail to the ridge, the Singecat Creek Trail. Neglect has claimed many other significant trails. Woods Mountain provides high quality black bear habitat and is prized by local hunters.
Numerous historical accounts describe the great trees of the Southern Appalachians. This is a tulip poplar on Reems Creek from the early twentieth century.