| Amphibolite Mountains Macrosite Inventory List List |
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| Amphibolite Mountains Macrosite Inventory List   | 
| Page Type: List Location: North Carolina, United States, North America County: Ashe and Watauga Counties | Page By: Peter Larkins Created/Edited: May 16, 2006 / Mar 13, 2007 Object ID: 194375 Hits: 1086 Loading... Page Score: 87.53% - 5 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program(NCNHP) collects, documents, and promotes conservation of natural communities, plants, and animals. NCNHP's mission is to enhance and preserve North Carolina's natural diversity.
NCNHP inventories unique sites by county. The Amphibolite Mountains Macrosite is found in both Ashe and Watauga County and is a region of amphibolite-dominant bedrock(see geology map below). Regolith(or soil) deformed from amphibolite(metamorphosed basalt) is high in certain minerals(Ca, Mg, Fe) and leads to high Ph soil. This allows for rare plants to flourish. Add in the unusual topography of the region and one has a nationally significant ecosystem that supports Southern Appalachian endemic species and northern disjunct plant species. Some highlights from the macrosite include the only occurence of Southern Appalachian Fen and High Elevation Mafic Glade natural communities, 23 Southern Appalachian Bogs, and rare plants: Heller's blazing star, mountain bluet, spreading avens.
Below is a list of mountains found in the Amphilbolite Mountains Macrosite, located in Ashe and Watauga County.Amphibolite Mountains Macrosite Inventory List
| Mountain | County | Land Ownership | Accessibility | Natural Community Types | Significance Level |
| Bluff Mtn. | Ashe County | The Nature Conservancy | Contact Doug Monroe at 336.385.6507 for access | Southern Appalachian Fen, High Elevation Mafic Glade, High Elevation Rocky Summit, Montane White Oak Forest, Carolina Hemlock Bluff, Montane Mafic Cliff, Montane Oak-Hickory Forest, Norhtern Hardwood Forest, High Elevation Seep, Rich Cove Forest | National |
| Elk Knob * | Watauga County | State Natural Area | public parking and trailhead access | Northern Hardwood Forest, Boulderfield Forest, Rich Cove Forest, High Elevation Red Oak Forest | State |
| Harmon Knob | Watauga County | state, private | unknown | Montane Oak-Hickory Forest, High Elevation Red Oak Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, Rich Cove Forest, High Elevation Seep | Regional |
| Mt. Jefferson | Ashe County | State Natural Area | public parking and trailhead access | High Elevation Red Oak Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, High Elevation Rockyk Summit, Heath Bald | State |
| Paddy Mtn. | Ashe County | NC Plant Conservation Program | unknown | High Elevation Rocky Summit, Montane Oak-Hickory Forest, Rich Cove Forest, Chestnut Oak Forest | National |
| Phoenix Mtn. | Ashe County | private | unknown | Rich Cove Forest, Montane Mafic Cliff, Montane Oak-Hickory Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, High Elevation Red Oak Forest, High Elevation Seep, High Elevation Rocky Summit | National |
| Potato Hill/Rich Mtn. Bald | Watauga County | state, private | access ridge from Rich Mtn. Gap | Northern Hardwood Forest (2 Subtypes), Boulderfield Forest, High Elevation Red Oak Forest, Grassy Bald, High Elevation Rocky Summit, High Elevation Seep | State |
| Snakeden Mtn. | Watauga County | private | unknown | Montane Oak-Hickory Forest | County |
| Snake Mtn. | Watauga County | private land and state gameland | roadside parking, fence hopping required | Northern Hardwood Forest (2 subtypes), High Elevation Rocky Summit, Grassy Bald | Regional |
| The Peak* | Ashe County | private | unknown | Northern Hardwood Forest (2 Subtypes), High Elevation Red Oak Forest, High Elevation Rocky Summit | Regional |
| Three Top Mtn. | Ashe County | NC Wildlife Resources Commission | public parking and trailhead access | High Elevation Rocky Summit, Montane Mafic Cliff, Rich Cove Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, High Elevation Red Oak Forest, Montane Oak-Hickory Forest, Heath Bald, High Elevation Seep | National |
* In the NCNHP inventory, Elk Knob and The Peak are included in the nationally significant Long Hope Valley site
Elk Knob, Snake Mountain, Three Top Mountain, Bluff Mountain and Mount Jefferson have SP pages.SourceNC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
Ashe County(July 1999) and Watauga County(July 2000) Inventory
Data compiled by Shawn Oakley, Inventory Biologist
Publications and digital spatial data can be acquired from NCNHP's website or by contacting the inventory manager.
 View south towards the Amphibolites of Ashe County Images
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Snake Mountain
