NARRATIVE AND HISTORY OF THEWILDERNESS

The Birkhead Mountain Wilderness was establishedby the 1984 North Carolina Wilderness Act. Thegoals are to protect and preserve its natural resourcesand wilderness character and provide for public use.The Wilderness includes 5,160 acres at the northernend of the Uwharrie Mountains.

These Mountains are considered to be the oldest on theNorthern American Continent. Evidence of earlyIndians date back over 12,000 years. The CatawbaIndians and small tribes inhabited the area when theEuropeans began exploring the region in the late1600’s. By 1760, explorers and traders began toexploit the area, some eventually settling in thesurrounding area.

The Birkhead family raised a son, John Watson(Watt), who was born in 1858. The 3,000 acres that heacquired over the years were made up of many smalltenant farms. Thus the mountain range became knownlocally as the “Birkhead Mountains”. This oldplantation is the core of the Wilderness. Evidence ofearly Indians and settlers can often be found. Thesearcheological and historic artifacts and sites hold cluesto America’s past. If disturbed, a part of our heritageis lost forever. Federal Law protects such sites andartifacts on public land. If you discover such remains,please leave them undisturbed. Remember, as you usethe Wilderness, your challenge is to leave no trace ofyou passing. This will protect and preserve the areafor future generations.

Gold Miners - Early 1800s

All trails within the Wilderness aredesignated hiking trails, and are blazed inwhite paint. Travel by horse, motorizedvehicles, or bicycles are prohibited. Adetailed map of the Wilderness is available atthe District Ranger’s Office.

National Register Thornburg Farmstead

ACCESS FROM TROY, NCTake 109 North to the community ofUwharrie and turn right onto Ophir Road.Ophir Road becomes Burney Mill Road asyou cross into Randolph County. Continueon to the intersection of Lassiter Mill Roadand turn right. Proceed north on LassiterMill to either of the trailhead locations asdepicted on the map.

FROM ASHEBORO, NCTake Hwy 49 south, approximately 6 miles.Turn right onto Science Hill Road. About afourth of a mile further, at the T intersection,turn left (south) onto Lassiter Mill Road.Continue on to two trailhead locations asdepicted on the map.

BIRKHEAD MOUNTAINWILDERNESS

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibitsdiscrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, nationalorigins, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital orfamilial status. (Not programs.) Persons with disabilities whorequire alternative means for communication of programinformation (Braille, large print, audio tapes, etc.) should contact theUSDA office of communication (202) 720-2791 (voice). To file acomplaint, with the secretary of Agriculture Department ofAgriculture, Washington, DC 20250 or call 1-800-245-6340 or 1-800-1234(TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT789 NC HWY 24/27 EASTTROY, NC 27371

Tel: 910-576-6391

UWHARRIE NATIONAL FORESTNORTH CAROLINA

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SR1107

Thornburg Trail Head

HANNAHS C REEK TRAIL

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FS6532

SR1143

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MILL

ROA

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Tot HillTrail Head

HOPE

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STRIE

BY CHURCH RD

HIGH P INE CHU

RCH RD

H IGH PINE CHURCH RD

SILVER R UN CR

ROBBINS BRANCH CR

TALB

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ROBBINS BRANCH T

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THORNBURG TRAIL

H A NNAHS C REEK

SR 1142

ROBBI NS BRANCH RD

UWHARRIE NATIONAL FORESTBIRKHEAD MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS TRAIL

F

0 10.5 Miles

!C Trail Head ParkingRoadsThornburg Trail 1.8 MilesHannahs Creek Trail 1.4 MilesRobbins Branch Trail 3.1 MilesBirkhead Mtn Trail 5.9 MilesdistrictWilderness

Updated 4/21/2010