A.T. Resource Management Plan

Upper Sherman Brook, Greylock Summit, Old Adams Road, Kitchen Brook Drainage, Crystal Mountain, Cady Brook, April Hill Farm, Jug End Road, and Mt. Race natural heritage sites. Two of the plants most threatened by trampling in Massachusetts are Luzula parviflora var. melanocarpa (black-fruited woodrush) and Solidago simplex, var. randii (Rand’s goldenrod).

In Vermont, trampling was noted as a threat at three natural heritage sites: Perkins Road, Stratton Mountain, and Glastenbury Mountain. In New Hampshire, trampling was noted as an existing or potential threat at Holts Ledge, Mt. Moosilauke, Mt. Garfield, Eagle Lakes, Lakes of the Clouds and Monroe Flats, Mt. Madison, and Mt. Success natural heritage sites. Off-Trail hiking in the extensive alpine area of the Presidential Range is a threat to rare plant populations there. Rock climbing was noted as a potential impact at the Holts Ledge. In Maine, trampling impact on natural heritage sites is most prevalent on mountain summits with good vistas, including Mt. Carlo, Goose Eye Mountain, Mahoosuc Mountain, Baldpate Mountain, and Moxie Bald Mountain. On some of these summits, trampling impacts the very rare alpine plant community. Trampling is also a threat to rare plant populations at Grafton Notch State Park and Little Wilson Falls natural heritage sites.

Erosion Another threat that sometimes results from high recreation use is erosion. Erosion of the Appalachian Trail was cited as a threat at approximately 25 natural heritage sites Trailwide. In North Carolina, erosion was having an impact at Grassy Ridge, Unaka Mountain, Cherry Gap, Temple Ridge, Bald Mountain, and Hot Springs/Lover’s Leap. In Tennessee, erosion was observed to be a problem at Laurel Falls, Blackman Branch Campsite, Iron Mountain Vista, and Highway 91South natural heritage sites. In Virginia, erosion was noted as a threat at Mount Pleasant, Whitetop Mountain, and Whitetop Laurel Slopes natural heritage sites. In Pennsylvania, erosion was noted at Little Gap Barrens and Rattling Run Seep natural heritage sites. In Massachusetts, erosion was having an impact at Cady Brook Natural Heritage Site.

In New Hampshire, erosion was impacting rare plant populations at Mt. Garfield, Mt. Eisenhower, and Lakes of the Clouds and Monroe Flats. In Maine, erosion was identified as a threat at Mount Carlo, Mahoosuc Mountain, Whitecap Mountain, Potaywadjo Ridge, and Northern Nahmakanta natural heritage sites.

Sedimentation Sedimentation was noted as an actual or potential threat to natural heritage resources at more than ten sites in North Carolina and two sites in southern Virginia. Erosion, trampling, camping, and logging were given as the causes of sedimentation at natural heritage sites within the A.T. corridor. The species most frequently impacted by sedimentation is the globally rare aquatic lichen Hydrotheria venosa. Sedimentation may be a problem along the A.T. in other states as well.

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