1964 Map of Luftee Knob

About this map

Balsam Mountain forms the high spine of this high-elevation wilderness along the border of Cocke and Haywood counties. Centered on the high peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the map captures the region in the mid-1960s, prior to modern environmental shifts but long after the initial establishment of the park. The geography is defined by deep drainages and sharp ridges, where water features like Mouse Creek Falls and the headwaters of Big Creek dominate the lower elevations. The survey traces the winding path of the Appalachian Trail as it crosses Cosby Knob and Inadu Knob, passing near Brakeshoe Spring. This area represents a high-mountain landscape preserved from industrial development, where named heights like Luftee Knob and Mount Sterling serve as the primary landmarks for hikers and early conservationists.