2016 Map of Laurel Fork

About this map

Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the high terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the border of Carroll and Patrick counties. This 2016 survey highlights a landscape where traditional Appalachian settlements like Laurel Fork and Gladesboro persist alongside high-elevation infrastructure. The presence of numerous family and community burial grounds, such as the Strock Chapel Cem and Gladesboro Cem, indicates deep-rooted genealogical history in the hollows and along the ridges. The terrain is defined by prominent peaks like Groundhog Mtn and Jackson Knob, while the headwaters of Big Reed Island Creek and its various branches, including Starlight Br and Potters Br, drain the rugged slopes. Modern utility is represented by the Groundhog Mountain Airport, positioned near Volunteer Gap and Willis Gap, markers of the historic transit routes through this section of the Virginia mountains.