Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve on the Land Conservation Assistance Network

Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve
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last updated: August 2019

In autumn, the forest slopes and ridgetops of Poor Mountain are brightened by the brilliant yellow foliage of piratebush. Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve protects the world's largest population of this globally rare shrub, which is restricted to only a handful of sites in the mountains of Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The mountain is named for its impoverished soils weathered from metamorphosed sandstone bedrock. The ridgetop, 3,000 feet in elevation, is predominantly a xeric Table Mountain pine and oak woodland. Piratebush is a dominant understory shrub in this community along with huckleberry and blueberry. Piratebush is also found with mountain laurel in the hemlock ravines and mesic pine forests of the lower elevations.

VISITATION:

Public access facilities include a small parking area and over 4 miles of hiking trails. Trails include a relatively easy 1.0 mile loop through the piratebush population, and a steep and strenuous 4 mile loop that takes several hours to complete.

A preserve guide factsheet and map are available to assist in planning your visit.

Also, part or all of the preserve may be periodically closed for resource protection or prescribed burning activities. Please call before visiting.

Contact Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve

REMINDER: This listing is a free service of LandCAN.
Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.