Balsam Mountains Balsam Mountains Middle Prong Extension Shining Rock Panthertown Valley South Mills River Daniel Ridge Cedar Rock Mountain Laurel Mountain Proposed Midsize Protection Areas: Spice Cove Mountain Big Mountain Ridge Coontree Mountain Mount Pisgah Download this Map Balsam Mountains Conservation Area 2.5 mb pdf file Spice Cove Mountain Approximate size: 2,391 acres This area does not contain a USFS Large Old Growth Patch, but has one old growth candidate site. The likely forest communities in this gorge are Acidic Cove or Hemlock Forests. This area contains biological hot spots (source:TWS meeting 12/15/00). It is likely that uncommon or rare plant species are present in steep areas and cliff environments in this gorge. to Top of Page >> Big Mountain Ridge Approximate size: 5,573 acres This area contains four candidate old growth sites, but no USFS Large Old Growth Patches. Surveyors found uncut Acidic Cove forest with rhododendron thickets in a shut-in section of Sawmill Creek. A brook trout study was conducted in this area and brook trout have been located in Sawmill Creek (east of Big Mountain Gap), as well as in Negro Creek. Rare herbs occur in the Sawmill Creek watershed. to Top of Page >> Coontree Mountain Approximate size: 1,841 acres Old growth acreage: 177 acres Coontree Mountain contains a USFS Large Old Growth Patch and one candidate old growth site. Bearpen Mountain is a massif with variegated and steep slopes that drop off in many directions. Early logging operations likely missed parts of this mountain. Kevin Caldwell visited parts of this mountain and nominated some areas as possible old growth. Rob Messick verified old growth was in this area in late May 2001 after a previous scouting. Uncut Dry Oak forest was found in the upper Coontree Creek watershed, and on the sharp ridge slope west of Coontree Creek. Old growth acreage in this area has not been delineated. Logging did not enter one valley slope because a cascade near the Davidson River valley blocked mechanical access. Another valley slope had class B Submesic Oak forest. And logging operations entered another valley slope from the Davidson River valley. Forest communities include Mesic Oak, Submesic Oak, and Dry Oak. Cove forest was present in the upper section of the uncut valley slope. Surveyors found a bitternut hickory on the mountain with a diameter of 33.8 inches. Numerous seeps exist in the small uncut valley slope east of Moore Cove. Uncommon or rare plant species may be present. High quality salamander habitat is likely in these seeps (near 3,000 feet in elevation). Some American beech trees measured up to 30 inches in diameter, and showed no sign of name carving. Large upland reed (or cane) patches are present on Coontree Mountain, reaching breast height in some areas. to Top of Page >> Mount Pisgah Approximate size: 1,567 acres Old growth acreage: 213 acres This unit includes a USFS Large Old Growth Patch, three candidate old growth sites, and a NC Natural Heritage listing. In 1993 Alan Smith published a survey of natural areas in Haywood County. He stated that 500 acres is the approximate size of the natural area associated with Mount Pisgah. The area has verified old growth forests, but they are yet to be delineated. Upper Stony Fork has Northern Hardwood Boulderfield and High Elevation Northern Red Oak forest communities. Upper Pisgah Creek on the Haywood County side has Spruce-Northern Hardwood (with ecotone), High Elevation Northern Red Oak (high quality), and Beech Gap forest communities. Note: rigorous high-elevation growing conditions are evident in this area. Old, bent, and knarled northern red oak trees reflect this. Yellow birches are also present. New York Ferns and Interrupted Ferns are abundant in places. Ericacia is common. Rock outcrop communities are present. Smith's survey of natural areas in Haywood County elaborated on at least three rare and listed herbs in this area including roan rattlesnakeroot, whiteleaf sunflower, and Blue Ridge St. John's wort. The significantly rare pinkshell azalea was also found. Northern flying squirrels are present in this area and there are reported sightings of Bewicks' wrens. Parts of the Shut-in Trail were constructed in the 1890s for access to the Buck Spring Gap Hunting Lodge from Biltmore. The lodge was in use around 1900, but was torn down in 1963. Rock stairways, walls, and foundations are still visible. The topography and elevation ranges of this area resemble parts of the north side of Cheoah Bald and Boteler Peak in the Nantahala Mountains. to Top of Page >>

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