|
Location: Avery and Caldwell Counties, NC, 10 miles southeast of Blowing Rock, Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest
USGS Topographic Maps: Chestnut Mountain, Grandfather Mountain
The northwest boundaries of Upper Wilson Creek and Lost Cove are adjacent to the Grandfather Mountain section of the Blue Ridge Parkway on their northwest boundaries. Lost Cove lies south of Upper Wilson Creek. Both consist of the ridges and valleys that fall some 2000 feet in elevation southeast to Wilson Creek from the Parkway.
Wilson Creek and its tributaries Little Wilson, Stackrock and Andrews Creeks, National Wild and Scenic Rivers, provide plenty of opportunities for kayaking. Strewn with boulders and plunge pools, their views also offer endless pleasure. The headwaters of Little Wilson Creek, north of the Gragg Road (SR 1514) extend to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It falls in a nearly continuous cascade.
|
 |
Approximate size: 9,316 acres
Roadless acreage:
4,990 acres
Old growth acreage:
1,094 acres |
|
Upper Wilson Creek is a Forest Service-designated Roadless Area, which gives it some protection from logging roads.
The prime attractions of the areas are their streams, though there are tremendous views from Beacon Heights in the Upper Wilson Creek Area, and from Big Lost Cove Cliffs. The streams are full of falls. All are trout streams. There are pockets of old growth forest in the most inaccessible areas. The trail system is well developed and extremely popular, making many backpacking/camping loops possible. The Mountains-To-Sea Trail (Section 12) also runs through these areas. |
