Lewis Fork-Little Wilson Creek Wilderness Highlands

Little Wilson Creek Addition A (south), a small, isolated area recently acquired by the Forest Service, includes lands along Brier Run, which drains from the wilderness. Addition B (north) includes 40 acres of possible old growth. It includes five minor horse and foot trails. The western border skirts maintained balds. The gravel road that forms the western boundary provides motorized access to the high country at Scales. The Forest Service identified Addition A and Addition B to the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness, but did not include Addition C.

Lewis Fork Wilderness Addition A (northeast), which is unroaded, includes the Appalachian Trail, but, in this proposal, not the Old Orchard Trail Shelter. Addition B (southwest), which includes areas at Elk Garden and Helton Creek forested with northern hardwoods, would link the Lewis Fork Wilderness with the White Top Mountain area. These areas are habitat for the Virginia northern flying squirrel and a number of rare plants, including fringed scorpion-weed and great Indian plantain.

The Forest Service identified Lewis Fork Wilderness Addition A as a roadless area, omitting additions B and C. Conservationists maintain additions B and C meet the requirements of low road density and naturalness to qualify as roadless.

This proposal also includes the crest zone bald management area to protect it from new road construction.

Approximate Size:
--Little Wilson Creek Wilderness Addition A 78 acres, Addition B 1,724 acres, Addition C 60 acres;
--Lewis Fork Wilderness Addition A 600 acres. Addition B 270 acres, Addition C 95 acres;
--Crest Zone Bald Management Area 3,444 acres
Location: Smyth and Grayson counties, North of Grayson Highlands State Park, Mount Rogers NRA
Topos: Troutdale, Whitetop Mountain