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2016 Map of Rainbow Springs

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

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Rainbow Springs sits at the heart of this high-elevation landscape within the Nantahala National Forest, where the upper reaches of the Nantahala River drain a complex network of ridges and knobs. The topography is defined by the intersection of numerous family-named peaks and ridges, such as Kitchens Knob and Milksick Knob, illustrating a long history of local land use and naming conventions in Macon and Clay counties.

A significant portion of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail winds through the southern and eastern portions of the map, passing through high points like Courthouse Bald and Whiteoak Stamp. The presence of Whiteoak Bottoms and several distinct lakes, including Moore Cr Upper Lake and Moore Cr Lower Lake, highlights the importance of the river corridor for both water management and early settlement patterns along routes like Murphy Rd.