Balsam Mountains: Panthertown Valley Location: To the west of Blue Ridge Parkway and north of the NC/SC boundary, Jackson County, Nantahala National Forest USGS Topographic Maps: Lake Toxaway, Reid The correct pronunciation of the name of this valley is "Paintertown," as any local resident will take pains to tell you. For many years it has been referred to as the "Yosemite of the East" because of the massive cliffs on every side that surround and delineate the level valley floor. This exquisite piece of wildland has followed a tortuous path to its present semi-protection. In the 1920's a logging railroad penetrated the valley which was severely clearcut. Some of the trails are on old railroad beds. Download this Map Balsam Mountains: Panthertown Valley 2.5 mb pdf file Approximate size: 8,762 acres Old growth acreage: 82 acres Parkway managers at one time discussed extending the Blue Ridge Parkway here via a route from Beech Gap on the existing Parkway to a terminus in Georgia, envisioning a resort destination complete with golf course, similar to Peaks of Otter in Virginia. Liberty Life Insurance Co. purchased the land from Gloucester Lumber Co. for resort development. The great gasoline shortage of the 70's torpedoed the idea. Liberty sold the site to Duke Power Co. which wanted it for a high tension line connection. Duke built the line, and then sold the land to The Nature Conservancy, retaining its line right of way and maintenance access. The Nature Conservancy in turn conveyed the land to the United States, for inclusion in the Nantahala National Forest. Forest Communities Panthertown Valley: * Subxeric oak and pine forests with stunted old trees have been located in rock outcrop areas associated with Little Green, Big Green, and Blackrock Mountains. * Old Growth Hemlock Forest was nominated in the upper Greenland Creek areas by Dan Pittillo. This forest type has also been located near waterfalls in the area. Big Pisgah Mountain: Small pockets of Rich Cove forest were found at the base of rock cliffs on the southeast side of Big Pisgah Mountain. Old growth Submesic Oak forest was found upslope of these rock cliffs (Kevin Caldwell and Paul Myers). Dismal Falls: The NCNHP lists Acidic Cove forest in this area. Unusual Plants Panthertown Valley: * Panthertown Valley has been listed as a biological hotspot (TWS meeting 12/15/00). * Numerous granitic domes are present in Panthertown Valley. Rare herbs and grasses are often associated with environments in and around these domes; examples abound along the Blue Ridge escarpment. Big Pisgah Mountain: Rock cliffs occur the southeast side of Big Pisgah Mountain. Seeps are present near some of these cliffs. Uncommon or rare herb species may be associated with these seeps.

Home   ::   Why Protect Wild Areas?   ::   Our Ecosystem   ::   Threats to the Landscape Comments & Suggestions   ::   Old Growth Forests   ::   Links & Information   ::   How You Can Help Introduction   ::   Acknowledgements   ::   About This Project   ::   Wildland Profiles Nantahala National Forest Conservation Areas Blue Ridge Escarpment Highlands Area   ::   Nantahala Mountains   ::   Unicoi Mountains Pisgah National Forest Conservation Areas Black Mountains   ::   Highlands of Roan/Unaka Mountains Linville/Grandfather Mountain   ::   Balsam Mountains   ::   Bald Mountains