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Location: Clay County, NC, 15 miles southwest of Franklin Tusquitee Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest
USGS Topographic Maps: Shooting Creek, Rainbow Springs, Topton
The Boteler Peak Mountain Treasure area connects the Tusquitee Bald area to the north and the Southern Nantahala Extension area to the south. It serves as a vital corridor for bear to travel between the sanctuary in the Tusquitee Mountain Treasure area and the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. The Chunky Gal Trail traverses the Boteler Peak area and passes beside Boteler Peak.
On the peak is an overlook affording a commanding view of the wild lands to the north. There is a rare mountain bog area on the eastern ridge of Boteler Peak which is accessible by the Chunky Gal Trail. The area is recovering from extensive logging and should be allowed to continue to heal. Boteler Peak and Upper Perry Creek are the homes of two verified old growth sites.
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Approximate size:
10,673 acres
Roadless acreage:
4,221 acres
Old growth acreage:
917 acres |
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The area is noted for its abundance of rare species. Examples include the bog turtle, Canada burnet, Blue Ridge bindweed, fringed genetian and slender wheat-grass.
The Chunky Gal Trail connects to the Appalachian Trail near White Oak Stamp and reachess 22 miles. to Tusquitee Bald. Hikers can take the Old Road Gap trail out of the Tusquitee Bald unit to connect to the trails in the Piercy Bald unit and then to the North Carolina Bartram Trail near Sutherland Gap. The Bartram Trail also leads north to intersect the Appalachian Trail again at Cheoah Bald. A 135-mile hike south on the Appalachian Trail returns hikers to the starting point of the Chunky Gal Trail.
This wonderful backpacking and bear corridor should be preserved for future generations to experience.
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Forest Communities
Boteler Peak: Northern Hardwood (mesic and dry), Rich Cove, Acidic Cove, High Elevation Northern Red Oak, and Subxeric Oak. Dry or very dry pine forest (dominated by pitch pine) is present on the northeast end of this delineated area. These pitch pine forests are near an olivine or soapstone mine. The word "carborundum" was used to describe rock at this mine.
Upper Perry Creek: Hemlock Forest.
Unusual Plants
* Northern Hardwood and Rich Cove forests are found on the north side of the mountain. These communities had the highest herb diversity. Old oak trees in the 300-year range were found near Dark Cove on the dry south-facing side of the mountain.
* The Buck Creek Barons is a Research Natural Area outside this delineated area (to the east). Numerous uncommon and rare plant species occur here. Two articles appeared in the September 2001 issue of Southeast Geology Journal regarding the unique geology of that area. |
