Kimberling Creek Cluster

Kimberling Creek Cluster
Kimberling Creek Cluster
	Location of Kimberling Creek Cluster in Virginia
Location	Bland, ; Virginia, United States
Nearest town	Bastian, Virginia
Coordinates	37°9′58″N81°5′43″W / 37.16611°N 81.09528°W Coordinates: 37°9′58″N81°5′43″W / 37.16611°N 81.09528°W
Administrator	U.S. Forest Service

Last updated June 09, 2020

The Kimberling Creek Cluster is a region in the Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society for its diversity of habitats extending along parts of Brushy and Hogback Mountains. Kimberling Creek, with headwaters in the cluster, flows into Big Walker Creek, a tributary of the New River. ^[1]^[2]

Description

The Kimberling Creek Cluster contains wild areas that are worthy of protection from logging and road construction. These include areas with different levels of protection. One is recognized as a “Mountain Treasure” by the Wilderness Society and the other is a wilderness protected by law.^[1]

The areas in the cluster are:

Nearby wild areas:

Location and access

The cluster is east of Interstate I-77, about five miles north of Bland, Virginia and three miles east of Bastian, Virginia. There are many roads giving access to the area. Roads and trails in the cluster are shown on National Geographic Map 787 (Blacksburg, New River Valley)^[3]. The map also gives trail information. A great variety of information, including topographic maps, aerial views, satellite data and weather information, is obtained by selecting the link with the wild land’s coordinates in the upper right of this page.

Biological significance

The land form, climate, soils and geology of the Appalachian highlands, as well as its evolutionary history, have created one of the most diverse collection of plants and animals in the deciduous forests of the temperate world. The cluster's large tract of land supports species, such as black bear and some bird species, that require extensive tracts of unbroken forest for survival.^[4]

The cluster provides habitat for species that are critically imperiled, imperiled or vulnerable, as indicated by their NatureServe conservation status. Among these are:^[5]

three mussels, the Tennessee Heelsplitter, the Green Floater and the Tennessee Pigtoe;
a beetle, the Hoffman’s Cave Beetle;
a millipede, the Hoffman’s Cleidogonid Millipede;
two fish, the Tennessee Dace and the Candy Darter;
three mammals, the Virginia Bigeared Bat, the Northern long-eared Myotis, and the Indiana Bat;
a cave, the Significant Cave;
three terrestrial natural communities, the Appalachian Xeric Pine Outcrop Woodland, the Central Appalachian Xeric Chestnut Oak-Virginia Pine Woodland and the Central Appalachian Montane Oak-Hickory forest (Rich Type); and
seven vascular plants, Piratebush, Box Huckleberry, Large-leaved grass-of-parnassus, Bog Bluegrass, Tennessee Pondweed, Basil Mountainmint, and Torrey’s Mountainmint.

Geologic history

The cluster is in the Ridge and Valley Province that extends along the western boundary of Virginia. The Ridge and Valley province is composed of long, relatively level-crested, ridges with highest elevations reaching over 3600 feet. The province marks the eastern boundary in the Paleozoic era of an older land surface on the east. It was uplifted and eroded during the Paleozoic with extensive folding and thrust-faulting. Resistant quartzite, conglomerates and sandstones form the ridge caps while less resistant shales and limestones eroded to form the intervening valleys.^[4]^[6]^:60 The province is part of the Appalachian Mountains.

The brothers William B. and Henry D. Rogers showed, in 1847, that the ridge and valley system in the western part of the Appalachians was caused by erosion of large anticlines and synclines. Similar folds exist in almost all mountain chains, but nowhere as pronounced as in this area of the Appalachians. A system of parallel anticlines and synclines has become known as an “Appalachian Structure”.^[7]

Brushy Mountain and Hogback Mountain are principal ridges in the cluster. Brushy Mountain, one of the broad ridges composing the Ridge and Valley formation, is capped by Mississippian Price sandstone.^[8] Hogback Mountain is another ridge running parallel to Brushy Mountain on the west.^[3]

Cultural history

Richard Bland Richard Bland.jpg — Richard Bland

The name Kimberling probably comes from several Kimberling families who were early settlers in the area. The town of Kimberling, surrounded by the cluster, was the site of a hotel built by Edwin S. Booth. A resort, Kimberling Springs, featuring springwater believed to have medicinal value, closed in 1880. ^[9]^[10]

Bland, the seat of Bland county, was a remote town serving as the area’s legal and business center when it was incorporated in 1872 under the name of “Seldon”. James Seldon was a member of the US House of Representatives in the 1840s. The name Bland recognizes Richard Bland, a delegate to the General Congress in Philadelphia, called “the wisest man south of the James river” by Thomas Jefferson.^[11]

Bastian, on the west of the cluster at the crossroad of US-52 and VA615, was named after F. E. Bastian who assisted in the establishment of the local lumber industry in the 1920s. The Wolf Creek Indian Village and Museum, located in Bastian, recreates an authentic Native American village discovered by state archeologist Howard a. MacCord, Sr. It is owned and operated by Bland County.^[10]

Other clusters

Other clusters of the Wilderness Society's "Mountain Treasures" in the Jefferson National Forest (north to south):

Related Research Articles

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are U.S. National Forests that combine to form one of the largest areas of public land in the Eastern United States. They cover 1.8 million acres (7,300 km²) of land in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Approximately 1 million acres (4,000 km²) of the forest are remote and undeveloped and 139,461 acres (564 km²) have been designated as wilderness areas, which eliminates future development.

The Mountain Lake Wilderness Cluster is a region recognized by The Wilderness Society for its unique waterfalls, vistas, trout stream and wildlife habitat. The heart of the region is the Mountain Lake Wilderness, the largest wilderness in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. These public lands are enhanced by the presence of private lands which are preserved to maintain their natural integrity. The region includes the Mountain Lake Biological Station that studies distinctive wildlife and ecology of the area.

Garden Mountain Wilderness is a U.S. wilderness area in the Eastern Divide Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. It is a small wilderness area in western Virginia, consisting of an area of 3,331 acres (13.48 km²) and bordering the Beartown and Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness. It was designated as wilderness area in 2009 by Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The wilderness area also borders a portion of the Appalachian Trail.

The Kimberling Creek Wilderness is an area protected by the Eastern Wilderness Act of Congress to maintain its present, natural condition. It is managed as part of the Jefferson National Forest. As part of the wilderness system, it helps to preserve a variety of natural life forms and contributes to a diversity of plant and animal gene pools. Over half of the ecosystems in the United States exist within designated wilderness.

The Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness is an area protected by the Eastern Wilderness Act of Congress to maintain its present, natural condition. As part of the wilderness system, it helps to preserve a variety of natural life forms and contributes to a diversity of plant and animal gene pools. Over half of the ecosystems in the United States exist within designated wilderness.

The Lynn Camp Creek Wilderness Study Area, a 3226 acre site in the Eastern Divide Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, was designated a wilderness study area by the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009.

The Glenwood Cluster is a region in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests recognized by The Wilderness Society for its rich biodiversity, scenery, wildflower displays, cold-water trout streams and horse trails. It offers a unique habitat for rare plants, salamanders and other rare species. The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail traverse the area, giving ready access with views to the east of the Piedmont region and to the west of the Valley of Virginia.

The Mount Rogers Cluster is a region recognized by The Wilderness Society for its unique high elevation mountains, vistas, trout streams and wildlife habitat. The heart of the region is Mount Rogers, the highest mountain in Virginia. The area extends over the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and into part of the Cherokee National Forest.

The Clinch Ranger District Cluster is a region in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests recognized by The Wilderness Society for its rich biodiversity and rugged scenery. It offers a unique habitat for rare plants, salamanders and other rare species.

The Craig Creek Cluster is a region recognized by The Wilderness Society for its unique high elevation mountains, vistas, trout streams and wildlife habitat. The cluster contains wildlands and wilderness areas along Craig Creek, a 65-mile long creek with headwaters at the Brush Mountain Wilderness near Blacksburg.

The Barbours Creek-Shawvers Run Cluster is a region in the Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society for its unique high elevation mountains, vistas, trout streams and wildlife habitat. With over 25,000 acres in a remote corner of the national forest, the cluster provides protection for black bear, clean water, backcountry hiking, and scenic beauty.

The Sinking Creek Valley Cluster is a region in the Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society for its unique recreational and scenic values as well as the importance of its watershed protection for Johns Creek and Craig Creek. Sinking Creek Valley is one of the most scenic valleys in Virginia.

Mill Creek, a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia, has been recognized by the Wilderness Society as a special place worthy of protection from logging and road construction. The Wilderness Society has designated the area as a “Mountain Treasure”.

Dismal Creek, a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia, has been recognized by the Wilderness Society as a special place worthy of protection from logging and road construction. The Wilderness Society has designated the area as a “Mountain Treasure”.

The Angels Rest Cluster is a region in the Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society for its diversity of habitats with steep mountains, an isolated valley, a waterfall and wetlands. It is named after a high point on Pearis Mountain with views of the New River and surrounding area. It contains two large wild areas connected by the Appalachian Trail.

Long Spur is a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia. The Wilderness Society has designated the area as a "Mountain Treasure," as a special place worthy of protection from logging and road construction.

Seven Sisters, a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia, has been recognized by the Wilderness Society as a special place worthy of protection from logging and road construction. The Wilderness Society has designated the area as a “Mountain Treasure”.

Crawfish Valley, a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia, has been recognized by the Wilderness Society as a special place worthy of protection from logging and road construction. The Wilderness Society has designated the area as a “Mountain Treasure”.

The Walker Mountain Cluster is a region in the Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society for its diversity of habitats extending along Walker Mountain. The mountain, part of the Appalachian Mountains in southwest Virginia, borders the western side of the Great Valley of Virginia. Interstate 81 traverses the Great Valley as it takes travelers between Tennessee and West Virginia.

Brushy Mountain, a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia, has been recognized by the Wilderness Society as a special place worthy of protection from logging and road construction. The Wilderness Society has designated the area as a “Mountain Treasure”.

References

1 2 Parsons, Shireen (May 1999). Virginia's Mountain Treasures, The Unprotected Wildlands of the Jefferson National Forest. Washington, D. C.: The Wilderness Society, OCLC: 42806366. p. 44.
↑ Bamford, Sherman (February 2013). A Review of the Virginia Mountain Treasures of the Jefferson National Forest. Blacksburg, Virginia: Sierra Club, OCLC: 893635467. p. 59.
1 2 Trails Illustrated Maps (2011). Blacksburg, New River Valley (Trails Illustrated Hiking Maps, 787). Washington, D. C.: National Geographic Society.
1 2 Stephenson, Steven L.; Ash, Andrew N.; Stauffer, Dean F. (1993). Appalachian Oak Forests, Chapter 6 in Biodiversity of the Southeastern United States, Upland Terrestrial Communities edited by Martin, Boyce and Echternacht. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons. pp. 255-264. ISBN 0-471-58594-7.
↑ "Natural Heritage Data Explorer" . Retrieved 24 August 2019.
↑ Chew, Collins (1988). Underfoot: A Geologic Guide to the Appalachian Trail. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: Appalachian Trail Conference. ISBN 0-917953-25-8.
↑ Longwell, Chester R.; Flint, Richard Foster; Sanders, John E. (1969). Physical Geology. New York: John Wiley. p. 519.
↑ Frye, Keith (1986). Roadside Geology of Virginia. Missoula: Mountain Press. p. 232. ISBN 0-87842-199-8.
↑ Virginia Writers Project (1940). Virginia, A Guide to the Old Dominion. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 435.
1 2 Tennis, Joe (2004). Southwest Virginia Crossroads. Johnson City, Tennessee: Overmountain Press. p. 90. ISBN 1570722560.
↑ Virginia Writers Project (1940). Virginia, A Guide to the Old Dominion. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 437.

External links

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[wildreport-1] 1 2 Parsons, Shireen (May 1999). Virginia's Mountain Treasures, The Unprotected Wildlands of the Jefferson National Forest. Washington, D. C.: The Wilderness Society, OCLC: 42806366. p. 44.

[bamfordReview-2] Bamford, Sherman (February 2013). A Review of the Virginia Mountain Treasures of the Jefferson National Forest. Blacksburg, Virginia: Sierra Club, OCLC: 893635467. p. 59.

[NatGeo787-3] 1 2 Trails Illustrated Maps (2011). Blacksburg, New River Valley (Trails Illustrated Hiking Maps, 787). Washington, D. C.: National Geographic Society.

[Steph2-4] 1 2 Stephenson, Steven L.; Ash, Andrew N.; Stauffer, Dean F. (1993). Appalachian Oak Forests, Chapter 6 in Biodiversity of the Southeastern United States, Upland Terrestrial Communities edited by Martin, Boyce and Echternacht. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons. pp. 255-264. ISBN 0-471-58594-7.

[5] "Natural Heritage Data Explorer" . Retrieved 24 August 2019.

[Chew-6] Chew, Collins (1988). Underfoot: A Geologic Guide to the Appalachian Trail. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: Appalachian Trail Conference. ISBN 0-917953-25-8.

[7] Longwell, Chester R.; Flint, Richard Foster; Sanders, John E. (1969). Physical Geology. New York: John Wiley. p. 519.

[8] Frye, Keith (1986). Roadside Geology of Virginia. Missoula: Mountain Press. p. 232. ISBN 0-87842-199-8.

[9] Virginia Writers Project (1940). Virginia, A Guide to the Old Dominion. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 435.

[tennis-10] 1 2 Tennis, Joe (2004). Southwest Virginia Crossroads. Johnson City, Tennessee: Overmountain Press. p. 90. ISBN 1570722560.

[11] Virginia Writers Project (1940). Virginia, A Guide to the Old Dominion. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 437.