Raccoon Branch Wilderness

Last updated
Raccoon Branch Wilderness
USA Virginia relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location Smyth County Virginia, United States
Nearest city Abingdon, Virginia
Coordinates 36°44′09″N81°28′24″W / 36.73596°N 81.47344°W / 36.73596; -81.47344
Area4,225 acres (1,710 ha)
Established2009
Administrator U.S. Forest Service

The Raccoon Branch Wilderness is an area in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area protected by the Eastern Wilderness Act of Congress to maintain its present, natural condition. As part of the wilderness system, it is intended to preserve a variety of natural life forms and contribute to a diversity of plant and animal gene pools. Over half of the ecosystems in the United States exist within designated wilderness. [1]

Contents

Crossed by well-maintained trails and drained by several cold-water streams, the wilderness offers good opportunity for both hikers and fishermen who want to experience one of the newest additions to Virginia’s wilderness areas. [2]

The area is part of the Mount Rogers Cluster .

Location and Access

The wilderness is located in the northwest corner of the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, near the town of Sugar Grove in Smyth County. [2] It is bounded on the east by Va 16 and on the west by SR 650. The northern boundary is about 2 miles south of VA 672. [3]

Trails in the area include: [3]

The Hurricane and Raccoon Branch campgrounds are just outside the wilderness. [5] [6] [7]

Natural History

Trees found in the wilderness include red oak, white oak, scarlet oak, chestnut oak, shagbark hickory, white ash, Fraser fir in the highlands, tuliptrees, basswood, cucumber tree, striped maple, walnuts, and hemlocks in forest valleys. There are a possible 268 acres of inventoried old growth trees [7] [2] [8]

Flowers include painted trillium, small purple-fringed orchids, black cohosh, broad beech ferns. [2] Squawroot, a parasite plant that feeds on oak roots, provides early spring food for bears emerging from hibernation. [9] Rare Appalachian club moss (Huperzia appalachiana) and, five-rowed peat moss (Sphagnum quinquefanum), locally rare, are also found. [8]

Wildlife include the rare Nelson’s early black stonefly and, rare in Virginia, yellow bellied sapsucker. [8]

As part of the Holston River watershed, the wilderness supports habitat for two endangered mussels, the Tennessee pigtoe mussel [10] and the Tennessee heelsplitter [11] [2]

The rare black sculpin (Cottus baileyi) is found in the wilderness streams. [2]

Topography

As part of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains Subsection within the Central Appalachian Broadleaf Coniferous Forest-Meadow Province, the area is composed of uplifted mountain ranges of igneous and metamorphic rock. [8] The wilderness is rugged, with elevations ranging from about 2,580 feet along VA 650 in the northwest corner to 4,000 feet on Dickey Ridge. Ridges, capped by lower resistant Cambrian quartzite, have worn away creating large variations in elevation with many high gradient, deeply incised streams. [8] [7] [3]

Two long ridges, Dickey Ridge and Bobbys Ridge, run through the area with two peaks on Dickey Ridge, High Point (4,019 feet) [12] and Dicky Knob (3,606 feet)). [13] [8]

There is a 300 foot high rock slide area on the eastern boundary, now stabilized with small pines beginning to grow. [8]

The wilderness includes the full watershed of Raccoon Branch and Scott Branch, tributaries of Dickey Creek. Other small streams, including Scott Branch, Shanty Branch, Muddy Branch, Slabtree Branch, Mullins Branch, Russell Hollow and Wildcat Branch, all flow from the wilderness in different directions to eventually reach the Holston River. On the boundary of the wilderness is Dickey Creek to the east and southwest, and Comers Creek to the southwest and west. [14] [8] [3] [4]

Management

Designated by Congress in 2009 with a total of 4,225 acres, the wilderness is managed by the United States Forest Service through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. [7]

There are some regulations to maintain the integrity of the area as a wilderness. For example, motorized equipment, motor vehicles and mountain bikes are prohibited, group size is limited to ten people, and limits are placed on camping. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

Mountain Lake Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The wilderness area is located next to privately owned Mountain Lake, and consists of 8,314 acres (3,365 ha) in Virginia and 2,721 acres (1,101 ha) in West Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbours Creek Wilderness</span> Wilderness area in Virginia, United States

Barbours Creek Wilderness is a U.S. wilderness area in the Eastern Divide Ranger District of George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia, United States. The wilderness area was established in 1988 and consists of 5,382 acres (2,178 ha) of forests in the Appalachian Mountains ranging in elevation from 1,700 to 3,800 feet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beartown Wilderness</span> Protected area in Virginia, US

Beartown Wilderness is a U.S. wilderness area in the Eastern Divide Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The Wilderness consists of 5,613 acres (22.72 km2) of land with elevations ranging from 2,400 to 4,800 feet. It was created from existing National Forest lands in 1984 by the Virginia Wilderness Act of 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garden Mountain Wilderness</span> Protected area in Virginia, US

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brush Mountain East Wilderness</span> Protected area in Virginia, US

Brush Mountain East Wilderness is a U.S. wilderness area in the Eastern Divide Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. It was designated as wilderness area in 2009 by Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The wilderness is adjacent to Brush Mountain Wilderness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James River Face Wilderness</span> Wilderness area in Virginia, United States

The James River Face Wilderness is an 8,907-acre area located near Natural Bridge, Virginia that is protected by the Eastern Wilderness Act of Congress to maintain its present, natural condition. As part of the National Wilderness Preservation 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Dry Run Wilderness</span> Wilderness area in Virginia, United States

The Little Dry Run Wilderness is an area in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area protected by the Eastern Wilderness Act of Congress to maintain its present, natural condition. As part of the wilderness system, it is intended to preserve a variety of natural life forms and contribute to a diversity of plant and animal gene pools. Over half of the ecosystems in the United States exist within designated wilderness.

The Little Wilson Creek Wilderness is an area in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area protected by the Eastern Wilderness Act of Congress to maintain its present, natural condition. As part of the wilderness system, it is intended to preserve a variety of natural life forms and contribute to a diversity of plant and animal gene pools. Over half of the ecosystems in the United States exist within designated wildernesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lewis Fork Wilderness</span> Wilderness area in Virginia, United States

The Lewis Fork Wilderness is an area in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area protected by the Eastern Wilderness Act of Congress to maintain its present, natural condition. As part of the wilderness system, it is intended to preserve a variety of natural life forms and contribute to a diversity of plant and animal gene pools. Over half of the ecosystems in the United States exist within designated wilderness.

Horse Heaven is a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia, United States, that 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".

Little Dry Run Wilderness Addition is a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia that 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".

Shaw Gap is a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia that 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".

Feathercamp is a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia that 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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Rogers Crest Zone</span>

Mount Rogers Crest Zone is a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia that 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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitetop Mountain (conservation area)</span> Protected area in Virginia, USA

Whitetop Mountain (conservation area) is a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia that 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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitetop Laurel</span>

Whitetop Laurel is a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia that 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".

Rogers Ridge, a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia and the Cherokee National Forest of eastern Tennessee, 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".

London Bridge Branch, a wildland in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of western Virginia and the Cherokee National Forest of eastern Tennessee, 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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Rogers Cluster</span> Protected natural area in Virginia, United States

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.

References

  1. Wilderness.org: Why Wilderness? | Wilderness.org, accessdate: May 22, 2017
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bamford, Sherman (October 2014). 18 Wonders of Virginia. Richmond, Virginia: Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. pp. 54–57. ISBN   978-0-926487-79-6.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Mount Rogers High Country. National Geographic Map. ISBN   9781566956642.
  4. 1 2 Virginia Wilderness Committee: Raccoon Branch Wilderness - Virginia Wilderness Committee, accessdate: May 22, 2017
  5. Recreation.gov: Facility Details - HURRICANE CAMPGROUND, VA - Recreation.gov, accessdate: May 22, 2017
  6. Recreation.gov: Facility Details - RACOON BRANCH, VA - Recreation.gov, accessdate: May 22, 2017
  7. 1 2 3 4 General Information: Wilderness.net - Raccoon Branch Wilderness - General Information, accessdate: May 22, 2017
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Jefferson National Forest, Management Bulletin R8-MB 115E. Roanoke, Virginia: Jefferson National Forest, US Department of Agriculture. pp. C-197–C-203.
  9. Molloy, Johnny (2001). Mount Rogers, Outdoor Recreation Handbook. Birmingham, Alabama: Menasha Ridge Press. p. 60. ISBN   0-89732-328-9.
  10. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission > Learning > Species > Mollusks > Tennessee Pigtoe: N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission > Learning > Species > Mollusks > Tennessee Pigtoe, accessdate: May 22, 2017
  11. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission > Learning > Species > Mollusks > Tennessee Heelsplitter: N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission > Learning > Species > Mollusks > Tennessee Heelsplitter, accessdate: May 22, 2017
  12. "GNIS".
  13. "GNIS".
  14. Va wilderness http://www.vawilderness.org/raccoon-branch-wilderness.html
  15. Rules and Regulations: Wilderness.net - Raccoon Branch Wilderness - Rules and Regulations, accessdate: May 22, 2017