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Location: Graham County, North Carolina, 10 miles northwest of Robbinsville, Nantahala National Forest, Cheoah Ranger District
USGS Topographic Maps: Santeetlah Creek, Tapoco, Big Junction
Roadless Acreage by area: 1,896-Deep Creek/Avery Creek;
1,271-Yellowhammer Branch; 1,425-Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock addition
These additions are adjacent to one of the largest and most significant wilderness areas in the eastern United States. They, and others in Tennessee, complement the existing 33,727-acre wilderness expanse that includes Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock and Citico Creek Wilderness in Tennessee. The extensions are an integral part of the overall wild area.
The northeast parcels also form a close link to 10,000 acres of Topoca conservation lands, about half of the Forest Service and the National Park Service acquired through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Alcoa Aluminum placed the remainder under a conservation easement.
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Approximate size:
7,414 acres
Roadless Acreage:
4,592 acres
Old growth acreage:
835 acres |
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These lands connect national forest lands to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, separated only by narrow U.S. Highway 129. We know from conservation biology principles that this connection between national forest land and the park has important conservation benefits including providing crucial corridors for wildlife.
Protecting parcels to the east and south of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness will expand the overall wildland and safeguard views from nearby roads. These areas are highly visible from the scenic Cherahalla Parkway. Tributary streams in this area flow into Santeetlah Creek, home to rare salamanders and other sensitive species. Protection will also provide Appalachian brook trout populations prime stream habitat, with fallen trees in the creeks and high-quality water. Portions of the Nantahala-Pisgah old growth network fall within the additions, as well as 844 acres of verified old growth at Yellowhammer Branch and at least four old growth candidate sites.
These additions include two roadless areas in Deep Creek/Avery Creek and Yellowhammer Branch totaling 3,167 acres. But much of the area is open to logging and road building.
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Forest Communities
Hemlock-Mixed Mesophytic, Acidic Cove, Submesic Oak, and Dry Oak.
Largest Diameter Tree of Its Kind in Nantahala-Pisgah:
* Carolina silverbell 36" dbh (Joyce Kilmer Wilderness)
* American beech 37-inch diameter at breast height (dbh) in Ike Branch.
* Post oak 17" dbh in Yellowhammer Branch.
Unusual Plants
* Pawpaw, yellowwood, and possibly red hickory are present in the Ike Branch area. Much understory pawpaw is present in one area of Submesic Oak forest in the Yellowhammer Branch watershed. |
