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Three Top Mountain Game Land
2,308 acres in Ashe County
Open to the Public
Yes
Things To Do
Hunting / Hiking / Birding View All
Plan Your Visit
Get Directions
Location:
Southern Appalachian Mountains
Ashe County
Size in Acres:
2,308
Involvement in Acres:
2,289
Topographical Map:
Warrensville
Topographical maps are available by contacting:
NC Geographical Survey.
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612.
(919) 715-9718
www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/
Ownership & Access:
For information, contact the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission at (800) 662-7137 or www.ncwildlife.org
Conservation Highlights:
In 1989 Chester Middlesworth offered to donate his 20 percent interest in a 1,100-acre parcel at Three Top. His generosity, combined with the willingness of the other four landowners to help the Conservancy, ensured the protection of the first portion of this project. Later, The Nature Conservancy purchased additional land from failed mountain developments.
Three Top Mountain is named for the three rock outcrops forming the spine of the mountain’s ridge. This area offers rugged hiking, cliffs, waterfalls, and great views. Elevations range from 3,000 to 4,800 feet above sea level. Three Top is part of the amphibolite mountain group, an unusual mountain chain containing a calcium-rich rock rare in the southern Blue Ridge. This group includes Mount Jefferson and Bluff Mountain, one of the North Carolina Chapter’s most well-known preserves.
The ecosystem supports large populations of spreading avens, mountain bluet, Carolina saxifrage, and Heller’s blazing star. Three Top offers good birding in the spring with opportunities to see nesting songbirds such as veery, rose-breasted grosbeak, chestnut-sided and Canada warblers, scarlet tanager, and red-eyed and solitary vireos.
Things To Do
Hunting / Hiking / Birding **Please beware of hunters during hunting season**
Plan Your Visit
For information, contact the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission at (800) 662-7137 or www.ncwildlife.org
Directions
From West Jefferson drive north on 194/88. At Warrensville continue on NC 88 (over the New River Bridge) and and turn onto Peak Road (toward Creston) and then left on Three Top Road (also called Eller Road) and enter the Three Top Subdivision. Parking access is available on Three Top Road, on Hidden Valley Road and on Edwards Road. Check the NC Wildlife Resources Commission for the most current map.
Discussion
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Add Your Comments
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