Shining Rock Wilderness is made up of a series of high-elevation ridges on the north slopes of Pisgah Ridge in western North Carolina. Originally 13,600 acres were set aside in the 1964 Wilderness Act. The terrain is extremely steep and rugged, with elevations ranging from 3,200 feet on the West Fork Pigeon River to 6,030 feet on Cold Mountain. Shining Rock Ledge, which forms the backbone of the area, is over 5,000 feet high, with five peaks at 6,000 feet. This diverse topography gives rise to an unusual variety of vegetation. Streams and drainages abound, forming the East and West Forks of the Pigeon River, a major tributary of the Tennessee River.

The Shining Rock Wilderness has been designated as Class I air quality under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 and recent additions to the Wilderness has increased the size to 18,483 acres.

Air Quality Related Values (AQRV)

Visibility

Shining Rock is unique in the Southern Appalachians, and the entire eastern United States, in providing a feeling of open space and long distance views. In this high-elevation wilderness the visitor can view the vast sweep of land in several directions. This is a unique experience in the Appalachian Mountains. The diverse scenic landscape is an important characteristic of this area and an attribute highly valued by visitors. Most of the current wilderness was logged in the early 1900's. This was followed by extensive wildfires in 1925 and 1942 that left much of the area devoid of trees. Over the years the trees have grown back in most areas, but there are still some grass balds on the ridges. The grass balds within the wilderness are not being prescribed burned and consequently are slowly being overgrown by the surrounding forest. The landscape is comprised of rugged topography; numerous steep, cascading streams. rock outcrops and a mosaic of vegetative communities. Shining Rock, a large, white, quartz outcrop in a heath bald on a prominent peak, is an outstanding feature in this area.

As is typical of eastern forests, the wilderness visitor sees most of the area from up-close, unless they happen to be on one of the grass balds. The long-distance view from these high spots is awe-inspiring. Thousands of non-wilderness users view the wilderness from the roads surrounding the area; the Blue Ridge Parkway, US 276 and NC 215 which are part of the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway. Shining Rock Wilderness is also viewed from the adjacent Middle Prong Wilderness.

Water

Numerous high quality streams dissect the wilderness and provide habitat for native brook trout as well as enhance the recreation experience. Although there are about 2000 miles of trout streams in western North Carolina only a few sustain native brook trout populations. The streams in Shining Rock Wilderness are unique in providing habitat for these native species. The streams are cold, clean and free of siltation and pollution. These qualities plus the beauty of the fast moving water over the rocks are enjoyed by wilderness users.

Flora

The vegetation of Shining Rock Wilderness is unique in the type of plants and the mix of plant communities. Spruce-fir, heath and grassy balds cover the highest elevations. The spurce-fir plant community is the southernmost extension of this typically Canadian type. Other forests such, such as northern hardwoods (made up of yellow birch, maple and beech), cove hardwoods (which include tulip poplar, basswood, buckeye, sourwood, and maple), and upland hardwoods (such as oaks, hickory, and ash), are found at the lower elevations.

The combination of spruce-fir forests, heath and grassy balds, northern hardwoods, upland hardwoods and cove hardwoods makes Shining Rock Wilderness a special area. Blueberries are abundant in the wilderness and attract large numbers of visitors when the berries ripen. There are many unusual plants; particularly orchids, ferns and mosses, within these more northern plant communities that give the visitors the feeling of being in New England.

Air Quality Related Values (AQRV) and Sensitive Receptor Indicators

 

 

updated: 9/26/2006