North Fork Mountain

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North Fork Mountain (NFM) is a mountain ridge in the Allegheny Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range, located in Pendleton and Grant Counties of eastern West Virginia.

North Fork Mountain looking south

1 Geology and geography
2 Flora and fauna
3 Miscellany
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Geology and geography

Tuscarora Sandstone, a layer of rock only about 50 feet thick, is the major ridge-forming stratum in eastern West Virginia, and forms Chimney Top and other salients of NFM. Spectacular views abound from these many rocky outcrops overlooking the South Branch of the Potomac River; sights visible from the ridge top include Seneca Rocks, Germany Valley, Fore Knobs, Hopeville Gorge and Champe Rocks. Backpacker Magazine described these views as some of “the best mountain scenery in the East”.

[edit] Flora and fauna

Vegetation on NFM consists mainly of mixed oaks and other hardwoods along with mountain laurel, flame azalea and wintergreen. The North Fork Mountain Trail leads to the 4,300 foot summit of Pike Knob where red pines live with both Appalachian-restricted species and with boreal species such as the southernmost examples of the bristly rose. Pine barrens, created by frequent fires, cover several peaks; the southernmost native red pine forests blanket others. From Nelson Sods, a mountaintop meadow, spectacular views of Shenandoah Mountain, Roaring Plains, Spruce Mountain, and the North Fork Valley may be experienced. No trails lead to the cliff-skirted 4,500 foot summit of Panther Knob, where the largest pine barren in the Central Appalachians is found; this area supports the world's largest population of variable sedge, a globally vulnerable plant dependent upon fire. Beach heather, typically found on coastal dunes, also occurs here, along with the pink-edged sulfur, a boreal butterfly whose larvae feed on the blueberries that thrive after fires. Paper birch groves thrive along Little Creek; this northern tree is quite rare this far south. Other rare plant species include butternut and Smoke Hole bergamot. Fern beds and an abundance of wildflowers are also found.

Wildlife includes whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear, and a variety of other bird and mammal species. Peregrine falcons, a US Fish and Wildlife Species of Concern are also found in the NFM area. The Allegheny woodrat, another Species of Concern is also present. Occurrences of other rare species have been observed in the area.