Uwharrie Mountains
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The Uwharrie Mountains are a mountain range located in North Carolina. The range lies in the counties of Randolph, Montgomery, Stanly, and Davidson, although its foothills stretch into Cabarrus, Anson, and Union counties. Formed approximately 500 million years ago, the Uwharries are the oldest mountain range in North America. Thought to have once peaked at some 20,000 feet, erosion has worn the Uwharries to a peak height of only 1,119 feet (341 meters) above sea level, as measured by the NC Geodetic Survey. The highest point in the range is High Rock Mountain, located in southwestern Davidson County, North Carolina. Once a coastal mountain range, plate tectonics has slowly raised the eastern seabed, until today the Uwharries are located in the Piedmont section of North Carolina over 150 miles from the coast.
The mountains give their name to the Uwharrie National Forest. Once entirely cleared for timber and farmland, the mountains were designated a U.S. National Forest in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. The forests and woodlands have since returned, and the area contains a diversity of wildlife, recreational facilities, and numerous Native American archeological sites.
In 1799, the discovery of gold at the nearby Reed Gold Mine in Cabarrus County led to America's first gold rush. The North Carolina Zoo, America's first state-supported zoo, is located atop a peak of the Uwharries. Morrow Mountain State Park is also located in this mountain range.
The Carraway Mountains, a segment of the Uwharries, are located in western Randolph County west of Asheboro. The Carraway Mountains are known for their ruggedness and steep terrain, which is quite uncommon for the gently rolling countryside of the Piedmont.
