Back to Forests of the Central Appalachians | Feedback
Amherst County, Virginia
April 2000
Source Walks: 5-18-99 and 5-30-99
The terrain here is underlain by coarse-grained granitic and charnockitic gneisses that are fairly massive in character. These rocks are well exposed in stream valleys and particularly on high ridges and summits. However, weathering is quite deep and there are substantial colluvial deposits.
Elevations range from near 3200 feet (976 m) at the lowest trail elevations to 3520 feet (1074 m) at Hog Camp Gap, 3430 feet (1046 m) at the Trailhead and 4021 feet (1226 m) and 4032 feet (1230 m) respectively at the Mt Pleasant and Mt Pompey summits .
One may make a loop of these trails by, for example, first taking the high ridge trail to Mt Pompey, then continuing on to the base of Mt Pleasant, with a spur to the summit, and finally by completing the loop along the lower elevation trail to the point of origin at Hog Camp Gap.
Here we report first on a traverse along the lower elevation trail to the Mt Pleasant summit. Following this we report on the loop trail as a whole, but with only cursory observations on Mt Pleasant.
Our traverse to Mt Pleasant began at the Hog Camp Gap Appalachian Trail crossing in mid-morning of 5-18-99 under a heavy overcast that lasted all day. Temperatures were comfortable. The first section extended along the road from the Appalachian Trail to the Trailhead. It consisted of the acidic up-slope road bank and the (apparently) less acidic down-slope bank that may have been influenced to a degree by road gravel. In many places the up-slope bank vegetation consisted largely of extensive and thick mats of haircap (Polytrichum) mosses, including some Polytrichum juniperinum. as well as other members of the genus. These mats were overshadowed in part by a sapling canopy dominated by Black Birch and with lesser amounts of Red Maple, Northern Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory, White, Virginia and Pitch Pines, Black Cherry, Mountain Ash (Sorbus americana), Striped Maple (Acer pensylvanicum ) and scattered Adelgid-free Canada Hemlock. Scattered throughout the bank were Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Pennsylvania Blackberry (Rubus pensilvanicus), Smooth Gooseberry (Ribes rotundifolium) and Upland Low Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) in bloom. Accompanying the Polytrichum were Leucobryum (likely L. glaucum) moss and various species of Cladina and other lichens, Noted on the down-slope were large, vigorous Mountain Holly (Ilex montana), Smooth Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) laden with green fruit, Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus ), White-haired Panic Grass (Panicum villosissimum), Variable Panic Grass (P. commutatum) and a little Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) .
Other herbs noted on the up-slope were Great Chickweed (Stellaria pubera), Arrow-leaf Violet (Viola sagittifolia) and Hay-scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) . A Catbird (Dumetella crolinensis) and an American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) were seen.
At the Trailhead the lower elevation trail (an old logging road) to Mt Pleasant entered the watershed of the North Fork of the Buffalo River, with dominantly south-facing aspects. A Towhee (Pipilo erythropthalmus) was seen here.
The canopy, still largely of sapling height, appeared to be dominated by Northern Red Oak with associated White Ash, Black Locust, White Pine, Black Birch and a little White Oak. This forest, as distinguished from that of nearby Cole Mountain, was quite ericaceous with Mountain Laurel, Minnie-bush (Menziesia pilosa) in bloom, and Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) . Polytrichium moss, including P. ohioense, was accompanied by such acidiphile mosses as Hedwigia ciliata and Wheat Moss (Diphyscium foliosum) . Mountain Oat Grass (Danthonia compressa) was concentrated on the trail. Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and the Creeping Five-leaf Potentilla canadensis were common herbs. Bird calls were frequent, with Ovenbird (Serius aurocapillus) and Veery (Catharus fuscescens) among the most readily identifiable. Both the song and short "phew" call of the Veery were frequent.
The ericaceous forest alternated with and/or contained patches of more mesic, less acidic, types, as next indicated by the occurrence of Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata), Downy Wood Violet (Viola sororia), a hawkweed, either Panicled (Hieracium paniculatum) or Hairy (H. gronovii), Tall Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), Basil Balm (Monarda clinopodia), Horse Balm (Collinsonia canadensis), Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis), the moss Platygyrium repens, Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), Striped Maple, Maryland Figwort (Scrophularia marilandica ), Bloodroot (Sanquinaria canadensis), Cucumbertree, abundant Black Birch, Northern Red Oak and Red Maple. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) were active in the canopy here.
Again in ericaceous forest, we noted in succession Pink Ladyslipper (Cypripedium acaule) in bloom, an American Redstart, Chestnut Oak, White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus), a little Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata ), large Mountain Laurel, Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) sprouts, Entire-leaved Yellow Foxglove (Aureolaria laevigata), a dieased bedstraw, either Lance-leaf Wild Liquorice (Galium lanceolatum) or Purple Bedstraw (G. latifolium), mole heavings, the call of an Ovenbird, Carex laxiflora and a little Table Mountain Pine (Pinus pungens) .
Heralded by the call of a Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), we again entered a more mesic forest with Black Birch, Black Locust, Black Cherry, Hay-scented Fern, Palmate-leaf Violet (Viola palmata), Cut-leaf Toothwort (Dentaria laciniata), Indian Turnip (Arisaema triphillum), Large-flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) in bloom and Mealy Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata ), also in bloom.
Soon we also noted Sugar Maple, Shagbark Hickory, Allegheny Blackberry, more Red Maple, Black Cherry, Carex gracilescens and Enchanted Nightshade (Circaea qudrisulcata) . A little farther on Sugar Maple became very abundant in association with Black Cherry, Tall Bellflower (Capanula americana), Allegheny Crowfoot (Ranunculus allegheniensis), Rattlesnake Fern (Botrychium virginianum), Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum), Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), White Ash, Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacea), Dutchman's Pipe vine (Aristolochia macrophylla) and the forest grassBrachyelytrum erectum. Progressively the canopy came to consist of almost pure Sugar Maple with Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) and blooming Mealy Bellwort conspicuous in the ground cover.
Passing out of these groves we were attracted by a single tall, straight Bigtooth Aspen ( Populus grandidentata), heard again the call of an Ovenbird, saw Indian Cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana) and a Clintonia, likely White (Clintonia umbellulata) . Here as elsewhere a moss of the genus Dicranella was a common soil cover along the trail.
We now arrived at a shallow ravine with an active stream or springbrook. Here was the first Yellow Birch in association with Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Carex stipata, Turtlehead (Chelone glabra), Tall Coneflower, Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) and a jewelweed (Impatiens sp) . A Scarlet Tanager called nearby. Not far beyond the trail crossed another springbrook with abundant mosses that included species of Brachythecium and Mnium. Here we saw the first Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense), Carex scabrata and heard another Ovenbird. Also in the area were a large White Oak, Cucumbertree, abundant Striped Maple, Yellow Birch and some Basswood, likely American ( Tilia americana) . In the vicinity of yet another springbrook crossed by the trail were Blue Monkshood (Aconitum uncinatum), Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia), Filmy Angelica (Angelica triquinata) and Maryland Figwort.
Now at an elevation of perhaps 3200 feet (976 m), after a long descent, we began again to climb. First noted were scattered Mountain Laurel, American Chestnut sprouts and down boles, Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) and Minnie-bush. The moisture-rich if somewhat acidic character of this forest was signalled by the presence of Medeola, the first Bunch Flower (Veratrum parviflorum), the meadow parsnip Thaspium pinnatifidum, Silvery Glade Fern (Athyrium thelypterioides), White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda), Large-flowered Trillium, Carex laxiflora, Dwarf Spiraea (Spiraea betulifolia) and the first Rose Azalea (Rhododendron roseum), with strongly aromatic blossoms.
Next encountered was some Black Bear (Ursus americanus) scat, black in color, entirely vegetarian, and with the appearance still of Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum or H. lanatum) . Noted also here was blooming Fly Poison (Amianthium muscaetoxicum), the abundance of umbilicate lichens on rocks, Carex communis and the call of a Veery.
We now came to a rocky exposed slope on which we saw our first Black Huckleberry ( Gaylussacia baccata) in association with Upland Low Blueberry, Four-leaved Yam (Dioscorea quaternata), Wild Liveforever (Sedum telephioides), Rock Fern (Polypodium virginianum) and Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia), all under Chestnut Oak. Several noisy and active Hairy Woodpeckers (Picoides villosus) attracted our attention here.
A little farther along the trail we saw Starry Campion (Silene stellata), then the feather remains of a killed and consumed Junco (Junco hyemalis) on a down bole, while a live Junco, perhaps its mate, was observed nearby.
Continuing our climb, we arrived at some large (2 ft/0.6 m) Shagbark Hickories with associated Broad Beech Fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera), Carolina Lily (Lilium michauxii) and Blue Cohosh, then the first Yellow Birch on a distinct slope, with more large Shagbark, the first Red Elderberry (Sambucus pubens), Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) in bloom and Mountain Holly. These were followed by abundant Clintonia of unidentified species, more Canada Mayflower, and the song of a Rose-breasted Grossbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) . Here we also saw the only occurrence observed by us of the northern and likely disjunctCarex brunnescens, growing as usual for the this sedge,on a rock.
The trail now took a sharp turn to the right, passing by Northern Red Oak, Shagbark Hickory, Black Birch, American Chestnut sprouts, Mountain Holly and Hay-scented Fern, and we again heard the call of an Ovenbird. Not much farther along we noted the first living Cow Parsnip, perhaps the site of the Bear's meal. In places however, Carex pensylvanica dominated the ground cover. A Veery called as we approached Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana) and the hawthorn Crataegus flabellata , both in bloom.
At the saddle between Mount Pompey and Mt Pleasant the canopy cosisted of large "orchard" Northern Red Oak and smaller Yellow Birch with an understory of Witch Hazel and blooming Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia ). Stunted Wild Geranium was also in bloom. Here we again heard a Scarlet Tanager and came to a sign that indicated 0.5 mile (0.8 km) to the Mt Pleasant summit.
We now began to climb the relatively steep slope to the Mt Pleasant summit in a series of switchbacks. Under a canopy of wind-blasted Northern Red Oak and scattered taller Shagbark Hickory, Catawba Rhododendron and large Witch Hazel were dominant shrubs and Canada Mayflower and Yellow Clintonia (Clintonia borealis) ground cover. Also conspicuous were Mountain Ash, Yellow Birch, Hay-scented Fern, Mountain Laurel and blooming Rose Azalea.
On the summit we noted a broken canopy of stunted and contorted Northern Red Oak, smaller Yellow Birch, Black Cherry and Shagbark Hickory. Small trees were Mountain Ash, Smooth Serviceberry and the hawthorn Crataegus flabellata in bloom. A diverse shrub layer included abundant Witch Hazel, Choke Cherry coming into bloom, common Catawba Rhododendron, scattered Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), Dwarf Spiraea, Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), Smooth Gooseberry, also in bloom, Minnie-bush, fragrantly-blooming Rose Azalea, a very little Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera ), Deer Berry (Vaccinium stamineum) and, on exposed rock, Low Serviceberry (Amelanchier spicata) just coming into bloom. Both Common and Hispid Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia and S. hispida) were seen.
Abundant in the ground flora were blooming Canada Mayflower and Yellow Clintonia. Other herbs were Large-flowered Trillium, also in bloom, stunted Plume Lily (Smilacina racemosa), Carolina Lily, an unidentified Lily (Lilium sp), blooming Great Chickweed, a little Virginia Waterleaf, Curtis Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii), Bootts Goldenrod (S. boottii), an unidentified Goldenrod (S. sp), Mountain Aster (Aster acuminatus), Big-leaf Aster (A. macrophyllus ), a hawkweed, either Hieracium paniculatum or H. gronovii, Wild Liveforever, Filmy Angelica, the meadow parsnip Thaspium pinnatifidum, Cow Parsnip, Fly Poison lacking flower buds, Bunch Flower, Starry Campion, Wood Anemone,, Carex pensylvanica and Lady Fern. Mountain Spleenwort ( Asplenium montanum), Rock Fern and Silver Whitlo-wort (Paronychia argyrocoma) occurred on exposed rock surfaces, while Michaux's Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii) occupied areas immediately beneath the large summit rocks. Also present in rock crevices were unidentified sedges and a rush.
As our visit to the Mount Pleasant summit was brief, we could not survey all of it. Consequently we may have missed some rare species. An example is Mountain Sandwort (Arenaria groenlandica), which has been reported to occur there (Chuck Bailey, personal communication, 1990) .
Some bryophytes and a lichen were identified by R. Hunsucker from collections made on this traverse. In the following list the lichen and liveworts are explicitly indicated while mosses constitute the rest.
Anomodon attenuatus - bark of Northern Red Oak
and other hardwoods
A. minor - on bases of trees such as N. Red
Oak
Baeomyces fungoides - lichen on soil of road banks
on old logging road (
trail)
Bazzania trilobata - liverwort on bases of trees
and on moist rocks
Brachythecium acuminatum - on rocks and tree bases
Brotherella recurvans- on bases of N. Red Oak and
other trees
B. tenuirostris - on bark of N. Red Oak and
other hardwoods
Dicranella
varia - in large tufts on soil, banks of logging road (trail)
Dicranum fulvum - on granitic rocks
D. viride - on trunks of N. Red Oak
Diphscium foliosum - on bank of old logging road (
trail)
Entodon brevisetus - on bark of N. red Oak and
other hardwoods, possibly
rare, calciphile on rock
Frullania asagrayana - liverwort on bark of N. Red
Oak and other hardwoods
F. eboracensis - liverwort on N. Red Oak and
other hardwoods
Grimmia sp - on granitic boulders
Haplocladium virginianum - on bark at bases of N. Red
Oak and other hardwoods
Haplohymenium triste - on trunks of N. Red Oak and
other hardwoods
Hedwigia ciliata - on granitic rock
Hypnum imponens - on decayed hardwood, down
boles and tree bases
H. pallescens - on bark of N. Red Oak
Leucodon julaceus - on bases of N. Red Oak and
other trees
Leucobryum glaucum - on humus, bases of trees and
well rotted wood
Metzgeria sp - thallus liverwort in moist niches on
tree bases
Mnium affine var ciliare - on various substrates such as soil, decayed wood and tree
bases
Orthtrichum ohioense - on bark of N. Red Oak and
other hardwoods
Polytrichum ohioense - On soil and rock in disturbed
and undisturbed areas
Porella platyphylla - liverwort on bark of trees
and on rock
Rhynchostegium serrulatum - on decaying wood
Thuidium delicatulum - on various sustrates
Ulota crispa -
on bark of hardwoods
Weissia controversa - on granitic rock
Our traverse of 5-30-99 began with a brief survey again of the vegetation, including the Polytrichum mats (see our walk of 5-18-99), between the Applachian Trail crossing and the Mt Pompey trailhead. Noted here were the calls of a Scarlet Tanager and a Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus ) and, for the first time, Common Clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum) . Also seen was a Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica), a species adapted to the young forest here.
At the trailhead we began our ascent of the ridge line that separates the Piny River watershed from that of the Buffalo River to the south. Successively noted along the lower slope were blooming Small-flowered Phacelia (Phacelia dubia), Hay-scented Fern, blooming Catawba Rhododendron, Northern Red Oak, Black Birch, Mountain Laurel, Minnie-bush, also in bloom, Red Maple, Whorled Loosestrife, a species of the mint Stachys and Upland Low Blueberry. Here we again heard a Black-billed Cuckoo, a Scarlet Tanager and an unidentified warbler.
We then climbed through abundant Hay-scented Fern, hearing an Ovenbird, past Mountain Holly, Wide-leaved Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum), Wild Sarsaparilla, blooming Allegheny Blackberry, the forest grass Brachyelytrum erectum and Bracken Fern. Following these we saw Mealy Bellwort, Common Many Knees (Polgonatum biflorum) and Squaw Root (Conopholis americana), then in a dryer section, Dwarf Spiraea, the uncommon grass Calamagrostis porteri and Rose Azalea in bloom
Entering again a more mesic area we saw Poke Milkweed, Virginia Waterleaf, Black Cherry, White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum), Slender Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis filipes), Hog Peanut (Amphicarpa bracteata), Downy Wood Violet in bloom, very vigorous although not blooming Palmate-leaf Violet (Viola palmata) and Columbine, also not in bloom. Heard here was the song of a Rose-breasted Grossbeak and the short call of a Veery. Succeeding these were Carex pensylvanica, Large-flowered Trillium with its petals turned pink with age, then the first Yellow Birch of the traverse and the call of an Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) .
Now, on a diminished slope, we approached the summit of the ridge at near 3800 feet (1159 m) asl. Here, under an open canopy,was tall (5 ft/2.5 m) and still not fully unfolded Bracken Fern,in the most luxuriant stand of this fern ever seen by this observer. Nearby was more tall vegetation consisting of Allegheny Blackberry, Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana) and Poke Milkweed. Shorter plants included Mealy Bellwort and Wild Geranium, all under vigorous Northern Red Oak saplings. Mountain Oat Grass formed a dense growth on the trail.
We now moved down-slope, seeing more Mealy Bellwort, abundant Striped Maple and Horse Balm,then Veiny Peavine (Lathyrus venosus) in lush growth. Here we heard a Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus), followed by more Hay-scented Fern, large, beautiful Shagbark Hickory, Northern Red Oak, Red Maple and some Yellow Birch. Here we also saw the first Bunch Flower of the traverse, with Tall Coneflower, Virginia Waterleaf, Hispid Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) and abundant Lady Fern.
On a small elevation and associated with a rock outcrop we saw the only Large-flowered Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) of either traverse. while not in bloom, this plant was here closely associated with blooming Mealy Bellwort, Thaspium pinnatifidum and Wild Geranium, while nearby stood tall, luxuriant Bracken Fern. Not far beyond this occurrence we were attracted by a large dung or carrion type beetle, with a bright yellow pronotum, feeding on dung in the trail.
The vegetation on the slope below was also rich-appearing, with dense stands of tall herbs and shrubs under an open canopy of Shagbark Hickory and Black Cherry. Represented were the first-noted Cow Parsnip of the traverse, Black Cohosh, Tall Coneflower, Horse Balm, Arrow-leaf Aster (Aster sagittifolius ) and Allegheny Blackberry. Both seen and heard were a Catbird and a Chestnut-sided Warbler .
After passing through a saddle at 3600 feet (1098 m ) asl, we began to climb the northwest spur of Mount Pompey. The canopy here was dominated by Northern Red Oak, but there was a little White Oak as well. Blooming Catawba Rhododendron was conspicuous, as was Canada Mayflower in the ground cover. As we clinbed we saw Minnie-bush, Rose Azalea and Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis), all in bloom. A little higher we tallied Mountain Laurel, Red Maple, Medeola, a little Round-leaf Pyrola (Pyrola rotundifolia ), Witch Hazel, Black Birch, Wild Sarsaparilla and Pink Ladyslipper in bloom.
Now climbing quite steeply among abundant Striped Maple, we passed over a thick carpet of Canada Mayflower with Black Chokeberry, Whorled Loosestrife and White clintonia, all in bloom. Here also were quite large White Oak, abundant Black Birch and a large colony of Pink Ladyslipper in spectacular bloom. A common trail grass on this slope was Red Fescue(Festuca rubra) .
Soon, at perhaps 3800 feet (1159 m) asl, the slope became less steep under a canopy of Northern Red Oak, Black Birch and apparently healthy Canada Hemlock, with abundant sprouts of American Chestnut. This was an open forest with a ground cover dominated by Carex pensylvanica, with Hay-scented Fern. Few ericacaea were present, and large rock outcrops bore various umbilicate lichens, including, apparently, Lasallia papulosa . Other species here were Witch Hazel, Mountain Holly, large patches of ferns, including particularly very vigorous Lady Fern with Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytoniana), and nearby, Curtis Goldenrod and Mountain Aster.
A little higher still we saw a Cucumbertree, a Mountain Maple ( Acer spicatum), Intermediate Shield Fern with exceptionally narrow fronds, then more Fly Poison, with Carex rosea, Hispid Greenbrier and continued abundance of Canada Mayflower.
The summit of Mt Pompey was characterized by an open canopy of large gnarled Northern Red Oak and smaller Yellow Birch with American Chestnut sprouts. American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) was present here, as distinguished from the Beaked Hazelnut we observed on Mt Pleasant. As below, Rose Azalea was in bloom and accompanied by Mountain Holly, Smooth Gooseberry, Hay-scented Fern and vaious unidentified sedges.
Our descent from Mt Pompey was along a south-trending spur crest under a canopy of "orchard"- form Northern Red Oak with Shagbark Hickory. We also saw at least one skinny Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis) . Allegheny Blackberry in full bloom formed a dense shrub layer under open crowns. Only a single bird, a Wood Pewee (Contopus virens) was heard during our descent. On reaching the saddle between Mounts Pompey and Pleasant (see our 5-18-99 inventory) we added Black Huckleberry and Mountain Ash to our tally there.
Although no further systematic inventory was conducted on the Mt Pleasant slope or summit this day, a rapid reconnaissance by members of our party revealed Yellow Clintonia in bloom there and an occurrence of a blooming Yellow Ladyslipper (Cypripedium sp) as well.
Our return to the trailhead was via the lower elevation trail we had followed to Mt Pleasant on 5-18-99, thus completing the loop. On crossing the springbrooks reported on at that time, we noted greatly diminished flow. Seen on this trail for the first time was Mountain Maple and the presence of White Clintonia was confirmed by seeing the plant in bloom.
A tally of identifiable bird calls and/or observations was kept on the return traverse of perhaps two miles (3.2 km) . This tally, done with an attempt to exclude repeat birds, was as follows:
Veery - Rose-breasted Grossbeak - Scarlet Tanager - Ovenbird - Scarlet Tanager - Scarlet Tanager - Veery - Red-eyed Vireo - Ovenbird - Ovenbird - Veery - a vireo - Ovenbird - Scarlet Tanager - Red-eyed Vireo
A remarkable characteristic of the flora seen on these traverses is the apparent absence or virtual absence of certain plants that occur widely and frequently in acidic communities in the folded Appalachians and on the eastern Blue Ridge sandstones and quartzites. These are Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens), Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens), Rattlesnake Weed ( Hieracium venosum) and Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata), although a little of the last-named was seen on one traverse. Also of interest is the common occurrence of Coralberry at Hog Camp Gap, but its apparent absence in the terrain crossed by our traverses here. Are these mere statistical flukes or do they reflect soil or climatic conditions? The virtual absence of these species is also characteristic of much of the Allegheny plateau that combines high precipitation and a cloudy day maximum.
Also of note is the frequency of ericaceous and generally acidiphile vegetation as compared to that of nearby Cole Mountain, where virtually none was observed (see our section on the Pedlar River watershed). In this case the similarity of the granitic and charnockitic gneisses that form the bedrock in both areas may only be apparent. Such implied differences in bedrock may also be reflected in the patchy occurrence of acidiphile communities along our traverses to Mounts Pleasant and Pompey. Finally, the relatively mild montane climate of Cole Mountain, relative to similar areas in the Alleghenies, as discussed in our section on the Pedlar River watershed, is again apparent here in the limited occurrence of Yellow Birch and, with a few exceptions, other boreal species, even on northern aspects at high elevation.
5-30-99, Mt. Pompey Trail
Uvularia perfoliata (by Christina Wulf and Mike Jones)
(Click to enlarge.)
5-30-99, Mt. Pompey Trail
Fly Poison (by Christina Wulf and Mike Jones)
(Click to enlarge.)
5-30-99, Mt. Pompey Trail
Pink Ladyslipper (by Christina Wulf and Mike Jones)
(Click to enlarge.)
5-30-99, North Slope, Pompey Mountain
Trautvetteria (by Christina Wulf and Mike Jones)
(Click to enlarge.)
5-30-99, Mt. Pleasant Summit
Yellow Clintonia and Canada Mayflower (by Christina Wulf and Mike Jones)
(Click to enlarge.)
5-30-99, Mt. Pompey Trail
White Clintonia (by Christina Wulf and Mike Jones)
(Click to enlarge.)
Back to Forests of the Central Appalachians | Feedback