Long, spiny, heavily wooded ridges characterize Tennessee's share of the Southern Appalachians - including the sharp western ridges of the mighty Unakas. Marked by rugged cliffs, rich forests, and deeply incised, steep-sided streams, the Unakas still harbor brook trout and remote pockets where black bear thrive. Over 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail wind northwestward to the Virginia border, passing through some of the biggest, most scenic blocks of wild Appalachian backcountry left. Unfortunately, the heavy, rutted signature of unauthorized off-road ATV use is prevalent in some areas, testimony to the immediate need for strong, far-sighted conservation measures.
Critical Wildlife Corridors
Tennessee's only National Forest, the Cherokee, covers more than 630,000 acres divided into a northern and southern portion by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Cherokee hosts a rich diversity of plants and animals, and it offers many opportunities for recreation. Currently, just over 10 percent of the Cherokee - 66,500 acres - is Wilderness. The three oldest Wilderness areas - the Cohutta (1,700 acres), Gee Creek (2,500 acres), and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock (3,850 acres) - were all designated in 1975. Although an additional 50,000 acres are protected in scenic areas and trail corridors, fully half the Cherokee is open to logging and road construction.
Appalachian Trail Wilderness Proposal
The Forest Service now recognizes about 86,800 roadless acres in the Cherokee, spread out over 18 areas. The 23,000-acre Bald Mountain area is one of the best Wilderness candidates. This unit straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border and includes acreage in both the Cherokee and in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. Bald Mountain is the largest Potential Wilderness area along the Appalachian Trail between the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks. Outstanding terrain, dramatic cliffs, and numerous waterfalls characterize the entire area.
The greater Bald Mountain wild lands, including the nearby 8,000-acre Sampson MountainWilderness, harbor one of the healthiest populations of black bear in the Southern Appalachians. It hosts many species of rare plants, including piratebush, turkey beard, John's cabbage, and marsh marigold. The Appalachian Trail winds through the Bald Mountain roadless area for more than six miles.
Critical Watersheds
The 14,950-acre Upper Bald River area is the most significant area still unprotected in the Bald River watershed. This area includes the 9,100-acre Upper Bald River roadless area and adjoins a 3,400-acre old-growth restoration area in North Carolina's Unicoi Mountains. Protection for this area is crucial - it is some of the wildest land remaining in the Cherokee National Forest without Wilderness designation.
Upper Bald River is known for its numerous clear, cold streams, which provide prime brook trout habitat. It also supports a wide variety of wildlife, including bear, wild turkey, and deer. Upper Bald River is a key component of the entire Bald River system - a critical watershed that benefits a significantly larger ecosystem in both Tennessee and North Carolina.
Other Outstanding Candidates for Wilderness Designation
One of the most significant of the Iron Mountains cluster of potential Wilderness sites is Flint Mill - the last remaining unfragmented area on Holston Mountain. At 14,450 acres, Flint Mill contains the second largest roadless area (9,500 acres) in the Cherokee National Forest, and includes many miles of the Appalachian Trail. This spectacular area hosts an abundance of plant species, including the rare kidney-leafed twayblade, large purple-fringed orchids, and round-leafed orchids.
East of White Rocks Mountain, Slide Hollow's old-growth hardwood stands provide critical habitat for wildlife dependent on mature, interior forest habitat. The Appalachian Trail weaves through old growth along the pristine Sugar Hollow Creek in the southern portion of this 4,350-acre wild land (including 4,200 roadless acres). Although Slide Hollow has not been extensively logged since the 1920s, it remains unprotected.
Roger's Ridge, a favorite of the late Wilderness champion Arthur Smith, is a 5,550-acre roadless area in the extreme northeast corner of Tennessee. This wild land boasts high grassy ridges and trails with spectacular views, mountain bogs, rare riparian wildflowers, remnant old growth, and waterfalls. With its sister ridges - Holston and Iron Mountains - Roger's Ridge is an important albeit tenuous link between wild lands in Tennessee and Virginia.
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