Half Acre Ridge

North Carolina, United States, North America

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Great Smoky Mountains
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Half Acre Ridge

Page Type:	Mountain/Rock
Lat/Lon:	35.62900°N / 83.071°W
Elevation:	3900 ft / 1189 m
	Sign the Climber's Log!

Overview

Cove Hardwood Forest

Remnant poplar.

The Sag Branch Poplar.

Half Acre Ridge is part of the Cataloochee Divide in the Cataloochee area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Not known for particularly spectacular vistas, open ridgetops, balds, jagged peaks, or exposed rock, the most amazing aspect of this long ridgetop is the forest which covers it. A large part of the land here was owned by a farmer named Roger "Booger" Palmer. Palmer, despite pressure from logging interests, refused to sell timber rights to his old growth forests. Because of his stubborn resolve, when the property was placed into the protectorship of the National Park Service, the public became free to walk amidst one of the finest stands of old growth trees in eastern America. Don't come here expecting towering peaks visible from exposed ridges. Instead, you will find the humbling experience of hiking amidst mile after mile of gigantic pines, poplars, oaks, and hemlocks. This is also the section of the park chosen for the reintroduction of the elk, which are often visible in the forest and along the edges of remaining fields.

Getting There

From I-40 take 276 toward Maggie Valley. Almost immediately after leaving the interstate, take a right turn onto Cove Creek Road. Follow Cove Creek about ten miles to the Cataloochee campground inside the GSMNP. About a tenth of a mile past the campground you will see the trailhead for the Caldwell Fork Trail and the Boogerman Trail. Park here, if you're not camping, and hike in.

Old relic poplar.

Red Tape

No red tape to hike. The usual fees and permits are required for camping at Cataloochee or using the backcountry campsites. See the folk at the ranger station (just past the trailhead) if backcountry camping.