2011 Map of Sam Knob

About this map

The Richland Balsam Great Balsam Mountains dominate this high-elevation landscape in Haywood County, where the headwaters of the West Fork Pigeon River and the Middle Prong West Fork Pigeon River carve through the terrain. This 2011 survey documents a region of dramatic verticality, defined by numerous balds and ridges such as Silvermine Bald and Beartrap Ridge. For genealogists and local historians, the Harris Cemetery remains a key cultural landmark amidst the forested slopes. The map also highlights significant recreational and geographic features, including the Sunburst Recreation Area and the Devil's Courthouse Tunnel. The intricate drainage patterns of creeks like Courthouse Creek, leading to Courthouse Falls, illustrate the hydrology of this protected mountain environment just after the turn of the 21st century.