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2016 Map of Bald Creek

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Bald Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Cane River winds through the heart of this Appalachian landscape, serving as a primary corridor for small settlements like Elk Shoal and Higgins. The terrain is defined by high ridgelines and summits, including Big Bald on the Tennessee-North Carolina border and the prominent Sampson Peak. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail traverses the northern heights, following the crest through Slipper Spur and across the Bald Mountains.

Lower elevations along Bald Creek and Possumtrot Creek reveal a more concentrated pattern of human geography, with communities such as Swiss and Possumtrot established at crossroads and valley confluences. The map illustrates a network of mountain roads like State Rd 1395 and McKinney Gap Rdg that connect remote gaps and ridges. The presence of both the Cherokee National Forest and Pisgah National Forest highlights the managed nature of these timbered uplands.