Orange lines are areas proposed for protection per "NC Mtn Treasures" in 1992.  The Webb Creek area is a more recent addition based on scouting hikes, and on the purchase of part of Grandmother Mtn. by the Forest Service. Red lines show Wilderness Study Area Boundary in the adjacent Lost Cove and Harper Creek Areas. Green is "SPNM" National Forest land. Brown is private land, tan is National Forest land. Major trails are shown as dashed lines. The Forest Service has published a very useful map called "The Wilson Creek Area Trail Map" which covers Upper Wilson Creek.

Location: Avery and Caldwell Counties, 10 miles SW of Blowing Rock, SE of Grandfather Mt.,  E and N of Lost Cove/Harper Cr.

Access:  From Mortimer Recreation Area on NC 90, go W and then N approx. 7 miles to a parking area and junction with FS Trail 258 which runs up Wilson Creek in center of the wild area.  It can also be accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway W of Grandfather Mtn.

USGS Topographic Quadrangles: Grandfather Mtn.  USFS Wilson Creek Area Trail Map is best source of info for trails and roads.

Features/Description/Potential:
    The Wilson Creek watershed drains about 69 sq miles in Avery and Caldwell Counties. Major tributaries include Gragg Prong, Lost Cove Creek and Harper Creek.  The stream begins in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the lower two miles flow into the upper Piedmont.  This Creates a great elevation span ranging from 5920 feet at Calloway Peak on Grandfather Mountain to 1020 feet at the confluence with Johns River.  This 4000 foot plus elevational difference is the greatest relief found anywhere along the Blue Ridge Front.
    The area represents the core of the Wilson Creek RARE II Area (L8313), identified in the early 1970's.  Logging and roading activities have significantly altered the size of the original roadless tract.  However the remaining area is still worth protecting, especially in light of the adjoining Lost Cove and Harper Creek Wilderness Study Areas (WSA's).  It is the same kind of area as Harper Creek and Lost Cove WSA's, which are nearly contiguous to the W.  There are some 100+year-old stands on the west side of the creek in the center of the area.  FS trail 258 follows the creek, and trail 259 parallels it on top of Yancey Ridge.
    Wilson Creek was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1999 up to its headwater, under the sponsorship of Congressman Cass Ballenger and local County Commissioners.  In terms of providing a large protected habitat for animals and plants, the combination of Wilson Creek, Lost Cove WSA, Harper Creek WSA, Sugar Knob and Steels Creek is more important than each individual area.

Trails have been scouted and mapped, and a guide written, though not published.

    To see pictures.

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