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2013 Map of Bunches Bald

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Bunches Bald
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Balsam Mountain and the high ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains dominate this 2013 survey of the Big Cove area. The landscape is defined by the sharp verticality of features like Chiltoes Mountain, Prettyland Mountain, and Flat Creek Bald, which rise above the intricate drainage network of the Raven Fork and its numerous tributaries. Human activity is concentrated along the Blue Ridge Pkwy and National Park Rd, which provide access to high-altitude landmarks including the Heintooga Overlook and Polls Gap.

A network of Bureau of Indian Affairs roads, such as BIA Hwy 403 and BIA Hwy 405, provides infrastructure through the lower valleys, connecting small settlements and recreational areas. Specific cultural markers like the Masonic Monument and the Balsam Mountain Campground suggest a landscape valued for both its spiritual significance and protected status. The map also documents named water sources like Right Prong Ledge Cr and Stillwell Cr, essential for understanding the hydrology of this high-elevation terrain.