General Field Notes Breeding Evidence
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Shining Rock and Grassy Cove Top Hike
Old Butt Knob Trail and Shining Creek Trail Loop - Shining Rock Wilderness, Pisgah National Forest, NC Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping 11.9 mls Hiking Time: 8 hours with 2 hours of breaks Elev. Gain: 3,410 ft Parking: Park at the Big East Fork Trailhead on U.S. 276. 35.36583, -82.81786 By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins The Old Butt Knob Trail and Shining Creek Trail loop is a classic introduction to the Shining Rock Wilderness Area of North Carolina. Beginning at the Big East Fork Trailhead on U.S. 276, both trails climb from 3,384 feet to meet the Art Loeb Trail above 5,800 feet at Shining Rock Gap. Despite the relatively short length of this loop (9.4 miles including Shining Rock), this is a difficult day hike for hikers of all abilities. The Old Butt Knob Trail climbs over 1,400 feet in the first mile, and the Shining Creek Trail is incredibly rocky and steep over its last mile. Despite the hardship, this is an excellent backpacking loop with outstanding campsites and even better views. The Old Butt Knob Trail features multiple views from southern-facing rock outcrops, and the views from Shining Rock and Grassy Cove Top are some of the highlights of the wilderness. Even though this is a wilderness area, this is in close proximity to Asheville and is popular with weekend backpackers. Try to start early if you want to camp at Shining Rock Gap, which is one of the best campsites in the region and is also the crossroads for 4 trails within the wilderness. -
EXPLANATORY TEXT for GEOLOGIC MAP of NORTH CAROLINA By
North Carolina State Library t ( f jleigh NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT William P. Saunders, Director %*fo _ DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES Jasper L. Stuckey, State Geologist BULLETIN NUMBER 71 EXPLANATORY TEXT FOR GEOLOGIC MAP OF NORTH CAROLINA By Jasper L. Stuckey and Stephen G. Conrad RALEIGH 1958 Norffe Carolir* St** NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT William P. Saunders, Director DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES Jasper L. Stuckey, State Geologist BULLETIN NUMBER 71 EXPLANATORY TEXT FOR GEOLOGIC MAP OF NORTH CAROLINA By Jasper L. Stuckey and Stephen G. Conrad RALEIGH 1958 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT GOVERNOR LUTHER H. HODGES, Chairman Raleigh MILES J. SMITH, First Vice Chairman Salisbury WALTER J. DAMTOFT, Second Vice Chairman Canton CHARLES S. ALLEN ..__„___ Durham W. B. AUSTIN Jefferson F. J. BOLING Siler City H. C. BUCHAN, JR North Wilkesboro SCROOP W. ENLOE, JR Spruce Pine VOIT GILMORE Southern Pines R. M. HANES Winston-Salem LEO H. HARVEY Kinston CHARLES H. JENKINS - __..._...Ahoskie AMOS R. KEARNS High Point H. C. KENNETT Durham R.W.MARTIN Raleigh CECIL MORRIS Atlantic HUGH M. MORTON Wilmington W. EUGENE SIMMONS Tarboro T.MAX WATSON Spindale LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Raleigh, North Carolina February 4, 1958 To His Excellency, HONORABLE LUTHER H. HODGES Governor of North Carolina Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith manuscript for publication as Bulletin No. 71, "Explanatory Text for Geologic Map of North Carolina". This text is an essential part of the new geologic map of North Carolina. The new geologic map and this explanatory text contain a summary of the best information pres- ently available on the geology of North Carolina. -
Pisgah District Trails
PISGAH RANGER DISTRICT TRAILS Table of Contents: Trail Name Length Rating Trail Use Page # Andy Cove Nature Trail 0.7mi Easy Hiking 3 Art Loeb Spur 0.6mi Difficult Hiking 4 Art Loeb Trail–Section 1 12.3mi Difficult Hiking 5 Art Loeb Trail-Section 2 7.2mi Difficult Hiking 6 Art Loeb Trail-Section 3 6.8mi Difficult Hiking 7 Art Loeb Trail-Section 4 3.8mi Difficult Hiking 8 Avery Creek 3.2mi Medium Hiking/Biking 9 Bad Fork 2.0mi Difficult Hiking 10 Bennett Gap 2.9mi Medium Hiking/Biking(seasonal) 11 Big Creek 4.9mi Difficult Hiking/Sections open to bikes& horses 12 Biltmore Campus 0.9mi Easy Hiking/ wheelchair accessible 13 Black Mountain 9.8mi Difficult Hiking/Biking 14 Boyd Branch 0.7mi Easy Hiking/Biking 15 Bradley Creek 5.1mi Medium Hiking/Biking/Horses 16 Buck Spring 6.2mi Medium Hiking 17 Buckeye Gap 3.1mi Difficult Hiking 18 Buckhorn Gap 5.2mi Medium Hiking/Biking/Horses 19 Buckwheat Knob 1.5mi Medium Hiking/Biking 20 Butter Gap 3.4mi Medium Hiking/Biking 21 Caney Bottom 4.6mi Medium Hiking/Sections open to biking 22 Case Camp Ridge 1.7mi Difficult Hiking 23 Cat Gap Bypass 0.4mi Easy Hiking 24 Cat Gap Loop 4.4mi Medium Hiking/Sections open to biking(seasonal) 25 Chestnut Cove 0.2mi Medium Hiking 26 Clawhammer Cove 1.5mi Medium Hiking 27 Club Gap 0.8mi Medium Hiking/Biking 28 Cold Mountain 1.4mi Difficult Hiking 29 Coontree Loop 3.7mi Medium Hiking/Sections open to biking(seasonal) 30 Courthouse Falls 0.3mi Easy Hiking 31 Cove Creek 0.7mi Easy Hiking/Biking 32 Daniel Ridge Loop 4.0mi Medium Hiking/Biking 33 Deer Lake Lodge 1.4mi Medium -
Breeding Season Habitat and Distribution of the Red-Breasted Nuthatch in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountain Province
BREEDING SEASON HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH IN THE SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR. According to the A.O.U. Check-list (1957) the Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) nests widely through Canada, the northern United States, and down the Appalachian highlands to its southern breeding limit in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. Pearson et al. (1959) state that the species breeds on "some of the higher mountains" but give no details of habitat selection. Despite evidence to the contrary, it is commonly believed that the bird is strictly confined during the breeding season to forests of red spruce (Picea rubens) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) in the mountain re- gion. This paper reviews data indicating that the Red-breasted Nuthatch utilizes at least three distinct forest types in the southern Blue Ridge Province during the spring and summer months. HABITAT TYPES 1. Spruce-fir Forests. The so-called Canadian zone or boreal forests of red spruce and Fraser fir are the major habitat used by the Red-breasted Nuthatch in the southern Appalachians, and the bird has been reported during the breeding season from every known stand of this community-type in the region. Briefly, the nuthatch has been thoroughly documented as a common summer resident in spruce-fir forests of the Great Smoky Mountains (Stupka 1963); northern Great Balsam Mountains, Plott Balsam Mountains, southern Great Balsam Mountains, Pisgah Ridge, Shining Rock Ledge, Blue Ridge Mountains, Nantahala Mountains, and Long Hope Creek in Watauga County (Simpson, present study); Black Mountains (Brewster 1886, Cairns 1889, Simpson 1972); Grandfather Mountain (Alexander 1973; Simpson, present study); Roan Mountain (Ganier 1936; Fred Behrend, pers. -
The Balsams—MST Segment 2
1 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail Last Updated 8/5/2019 Rays and ridges from Waterrock Knob Photo by Robert Stephens The Balsams—MST Segment 2 WATERROCK KNOB TO PISGAH INN By Jim Grode This 63-mile segment, located in one of the most biodiverse areas of the world, showcases that diversity. Nearly all the major plant communities of the southern Appalachians are represented, from spruce-fir forests typically found in Canada to rich cove forests, and from rhododendron thickets to heath balds—and even a little of the rare spray cliff commu- nity. Around every corner is a view greater than the one before it. And the myriad streams and waterfalls provide delightful coolness even on the hottest summer day. Segment 2 | 2 This segment is also one of the least accessible parts of the MST— although it generally parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). Segment 2 crosses a paved road only 7 times in the 54 miles between the US 74 crossing (Eastbound (EB) Mile 9.4, Westbound (WB) Mile 54.2) and its eastern end. The segment is also rugged: elevations range from over 5,800 feet to less than 3,500 feet in less than 10 miles, and there is almost 25,000 feet of climbing and descending over the entire length of the segment. The trail is often rocky, muddy, or indistinct, making travel sometimes difficult. Almost all of Segment 2 is on federally owned land, encompassing the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests and the BRP. As a result, there is virtually no development and no opportunity for resupply on the segment. -
Fryingpan Mountain Hike
Fryingpan Mountain – Pisgah National Forest, NC Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping 1.7 mls N/A N/A Hiking Time: 1 hour with 15 minutes of breaks Elev. Gain: 375 ft Parking: Park on the shoulder of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Fryingpan Gap. 35.39526, -82.76805 By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins Fryingpan Mountain is home to one of the tallest lookout towers in North Carolina at 70 feet. The mountain, at 5,342 feet, is part of the rugged Pisgah Ridge on the eastern front of the Great Balsam Mountains. This is a short, accessible hike for all ages from Fryingpan Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can also use a combination of trails emanating from Mount Pisgah Campground or Buck Spring Gap Overlook to create a longer day hike. Although the top cab of the tower is closed, you can still climb the steep stairs to get fantastic views in every direction. You’ll be blown away by the view of the Shining Rock Wilderness to the west, plus the other directions aren’t too shabby. Combined with Mount Pisgah, this short hike is a great way to orient yourself for further exploration of this region. Parking at Fryingpan Gap - Park on the wide, grassy shoulders on the Blue Ridge Parkway around Fryingpan Gap. Do not block the gate. Parking here is limited since there is no parking lot. If the area is crowded, then you may need to park at the Mount Pisgah Campground which will be a 4.2-mile round trip. From the gap you’ll clearly see the lookout tower and communications tower overhead. -
Mountains and Meadowlands Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Mountains and Meadowlands Mountains and Meadowlands Along the Blue Ridge Parkway Text and photos by William A. Bake Office of Publications National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 1975 A Prologue to the Past 1 The Blue Ridge Parkway Rolling into the distance like "the great distance like breakers and swells Ocean itself," the Blue Ridge dips into a means mountains—the highest deep cove at Wildcat Rocks in Doughton frozen in time. of them mantled with trees and Park (Milepost 240), then swells toward the horizon. Their time, in fact, began long wildflowers uniquely their own. ago, even in geologic terms. The It also means meadows—some Blue Ridge Mountains—indeed, for farming, others that beckon all the Appalachians—are an visitors to wander and explore. cient mountains. Rounded in This booklet introduces both form and subdued in height, the mood and substance of the they are nevertheless a rugged Parkway's highest peaks and lot whose wrinkles and crannies, sweeping meadowlands. Though Indian pipe, a small but conspicuous saphrophyte, pushes past the clover-like cliffs and gorges are often hid designed to be read quickly, it leaves of wood sorrel. den from easy view. remains to be re-examined when ever mountains and meadow- Like so many of the Earth's lands return to mind or presence. mountains, the Appalachians were created in a very complex An "Ocean of Woods swelled manner. It is sufficient to say, and depressed with a waving rather than going through the Surface like that of the great complexities, that what remains Ocean itself wrote an early is a range of mountains which visitor as he sought a way to begins in the Canadian maritime describe the Blue Ridge Moun provinces near the Atlantic and tains. -
Craggy Pinnacle Hike
Craggy Pinnacle - Craggy Gardens, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping 1.1 mls N/A N/A Hiking Time: 45 minutes Elev. Gain: 230 ft Parking: Park at the Craggy Dome Overlook. 35.70419, -82.37355 By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins Craggy Pinnacle is considered one of the most scenic, short hikes along the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located 40 minutes northeast of Asheville, this crown jewel of the Great Craggy Mountains features spectacular 360° views from the stone observation deck on its summit. From the airy heights of this dramatic heath bald you’ll be able to pick out all of the highest ranges in North Carolina and Tennessee, including the Black Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains. Because of its proximity to Asheville, views, and lack of difficulty, this hike is popular and will likely be overrun on the weekends. Try to arrive early or hike on a weekday to avoid crowds. This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed normally during winter due to ice and inclement weather. Check the road closure website for alerts and the real-time closure map. Nearby hike options: Big Butt Trail | Douglas Falls and Craggy Gardens | Snowball Trail Mile 0.0 – Park at the Craggy Dome Overlook and follow the Craggy Pinnacle Trail towards the summit. The trail passes by dense stands of gnarled northern hardwoods and Catawba rhododendrons, which bloom spectacularly in June and draw huge crowds. Mile 0.3 – Three-way trail junction below the summit. The trail on the left leads to the summit and the trail behind you leads to the north overlook. -
Breeding Season Habitats of the Golden-Crowned Kinglet in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains
BREEDING SEASON HABITATS OF THE GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET IN THE SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR. The Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) occurs through much of Canada, the northern United States, and down the Appalachian highlands to the southern limit of its breeding range in the mountains of western North Carolina (A.O.U. 1957). Pear son et al. (1959) state that the bird breeds on "some of the higher mountains" but they give no details of habitat selection. In the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, the species occurs during the summer months in three distinct types of coniferous forests. 1. Spruce-fir forests. The majority of kinglets inhabit the forests of red spruce (Picea rubens) and Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) at elevations above 1372 m (4500 feet). The species is well documented as a common summer resident in the Great Smoky Mountains (Stupka 1963); northern Great Balsam Mountains, Plott Balsam Mountains, southern Great Balsam Mountains, Shining Rock Ledge, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Nantahala Mountains (Simpson, present study); Black Mountains (Simpson 1972a); Grandfather Mountain (Pearson et al. 1959, Alexander 1973); Roan Mountain (Fred Behrend, pers. com .; Simpson, present study); the Mt. Rogers-Whitetop area of Vir- ginia (Murray 1952; Simpson, present study); and apparently at Cone Lake, Watauga County, N.C. (Murray 1946). Breeding reports have been obtained in the Smokies (Stupka 1963), Black Mountains (Burleigh 1941), and Grandfather Mountain (Pearson et al. 1959); while breeding season densities have been reported by Adams (1959) and Alsop (1970). 2. Hemlock forests. The eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a common forest tree throughout the southern Blue Ridge, where it often occurs as a major dominant in sheltered ravines and moist slopes. -
Nesting of the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker in Great Craggy and Southern Great Balsam Mountains of North Carolina MARCUS B
Nesting of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Great Craggy and Southern Great Balsam Mountains of North Carolina MARCUS B. SIMPSON JR. P.O. Box 167, Statesville, N.C. 24 January 1972 Pearson, Brimley, and Brimley (1942) regarded the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) as a breeding summer resident in the higher mountains of North Carolina, but they mentioned only four specific localities where the bird had been observed: Roan Mountain, Highlands, Joannana Bald Mountain, and Greybeard Moun- tain. Elsewhere, the bird has been reported during summer in the Unicoi Mountains by Ganier and Clebsch (1944), the Great Smoky Mountains by Stupka (1963), and Mt. Mitchell by Burleigh (1941). To date, however, there appear to be no specific records from the Great Craggy or southern Great Balsam Mountains; and the following observations are therefore of interest. SOUTHERN GREAT BALSAM MOUNTAINS: Based on my field work in this range from 1963 to 1971, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is an uncommon summer resident above 3,500 feet in deciduous forests that have been disturbed by logging or fires. During the months of May through August, I have a total of 16 records of individual birds at elevations from 3,600 feet to 5,800 feet. In addition to these individual sightings, groups of two or more birds have been noted at three localities in the range. At Wet Camp Gap (5,360 feet), Jackson County, a pair has been noted repeatedly in June 1963, 1965, and 1969, while on 15 June 1968 two adults were carrying food into a nesting hole some 25 feet up in a large white oak (Quercus alba). -
Mineral Resources of the Craggy Mountain Wilderness Study Area and Extension, Buncombe County, North Carolina
STUDIES RELATED TO WILDERNESS Mineral Resources of the Craggy Mountain Wilderness Study Area and Extension, Buncombe County, North Carolina By F. G. LESURE and A. E. GROSZ, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, and by· B. B. WILLIAMS and G. C. GAZDIK, U.S. BUREAU OF MINES STUDIES RELATED TO WILDERNESS-WILDERNESS AREAS GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1515 An evaluation of the mineral potential of the area UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON: 1982 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR JAMES G. WATT, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Dallas L. Peck, Director Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Lesure, Frank Gardner, 1927- Mineral resources of the Craggy Mountain Wilderness Study Area and Extension, Bunc1m County, North Carolina. (Geological Survey bulletin ; 1515) Bibliography: p. Supt. of Docs. no.: I 19.3:1515 1. Mines and mineral resources-North Carolina-Buncombe Co. I. Grosz, Andrew E., jof author. II. Title. III. Series: United States. Geological Survey. Bulletin ; 1515. QE75.B9 no. 1515 [TN24.N8] 557.3s [553'.09756'88] 80-607863 For sale by the Distribution Branch, U.S. Geological Survey, 604 South Pickett Street, Alexandria, VA 22304 STUDIES RELATED TO WILDERNESS WILDERNESS AREAS In accordance with the provisions of the Wilderness Act (Public Law 88-577, September 3, 1964) and the Joint Con ference Report on Senate Bill 4, 88th Congress, and as specifically designated by PL 93-622, January 3, 1975, the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Bureau of Mines have been conduct ing mineral surveys of wilderness and primitive areas. Studies and reports of all primitive areas have been completed. Areas officially designated as "wilderness," "wild," or "canoe" when the act was passed were incorporated into the National Wilderness Preservation System, and some of them are presently being studied. -
Backpacking Adventure 7-DAY
bACKPACKING Teen Leadership Expedition North Carolina u Adventure 7-DAY TRIP COST: $1,385 AGES: 13–14 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS: u Backpacking & Camping u Backcountry Navigation skills u Leave No Trace (LNT) training u Teambuilding & Outdoor Leadership u Explore the Blue Ridge Mountains WHY TAKE THIS COURSE? u Gain backpacking, camping, navigation, and backcountry cooking skills u Challenge yourself in new and rewarding ways u Gain the skills necessary to explore the wilderness Where you’ll be: u Pisgah National Forest u The Art Loeb trail u Black Balsam Knob TRIP INCLUDES: u All lodging and transportation during the trip u Equipment for all activities u Up to two (2) dedicated NCOAE Field Instructors u All meals, admissions, and gratuities u Shuttle to/from ILM airport (If driving, contact NCOAE for alternative drop-off/ pick-up locations) * NCOAE recommends students bring a small amount of spending money for extra snacks and souvenirs. 9809 River Rd. | Wilmington, NC 28412 USA (910) 399-8090 | Fax: (888) 399-5957 Scan QR code [email protected] | www.NCOAE.org for more info. For complete itinerary details, see reverse side u www.facebook.com/NCOAE NORTH CAROLINA – Teen Leadership Expedition BACKPACKING Adventure The setting for this adventure is the Pisgah National Forest, located in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Learn the basics of backpacking and wilderness travel, as you explore cool mountain streams, hidden swimming holes, and cascading waterfalls. u Day 1: Your trip begins here at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina. You’ll meet the other participants, then begin with an orientation, teambuilding, expedition planning, and outdoor skills activities.