North Fork of the Pound

The southern, down-slope boundary of this scenic area is the North Fork of the Pound reservoir. To protect the watershed, the town of Pound passed a resolution in 1995 requesting the Forest Service to disallow clearcutting in this area. The Forest Service lists most of the North Fork of the Pound area's rich cove forests as unsuitable for timbering because of the area's visual and recreational values. The area contains 153 acres of possible old growth. The area also contains some unique ecological communities and various rare species.

Along the reservoir are the Laurel Fork primitive hike-in campground, the Cane Patch campground, and water recreation facilities. The difficult 1.5-mile Laurel Fork Trail features interesting rock formations and a variety of vegetation and wildlife. The Phillips Creek Loop is an easy, self-guided nature trail featuring an old homestead, an Indian grave, picturesque Phillips Creek Falls, and remnants of a moonshine still. An unmaintained trail runs along the ridge top, and connects with the Cumberland Mountain Trail to the east. Ninety percent of the area provides opportunities for secluded back-country recreation.

The unroaded North Fork of the Pound area is included in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAA) South Cumberland Mountain ecosystem section, which contains no designated wilderness, and only two roadless areas.

The Forest Service identified this North Fork of the Pound roadless area.

Approximate Size: 4,756 acres
Location: Wise County, west of US 23, Clinch Ranger District
Topos: Flat Gap, Whitesburg, Jenkins West