Conservation Fund Seeks To Preserve Undisturbed 10,000-Acre Mountain Area

By LAUREN HENRY

Staff Intern

ROCKY FORK â€" "Rocky Fork is one of Tennessee's best-kept secrets," said Amanda Finley, a hiker on Saturday's guided hike through the 10,000-acre tract of undeveloped mountain land.

The weekend's "Mountain Expo" offered hikers the chance to explore Rocky Fork, which is said to be the largest privately-owned and unprotected tract in the Appalachian Mountains.

The U.S. Forest Service has named Rocky Fork, which occupies parts of both Greene and Unicoi counties, as this year's top priority for acquisition this year.

"Mountain Expo," which was held from June 20-22, offered numerous free outdoor activities for the public. Based at the Fishery Park in Erwin, the event offered people the chance to discover some of the activities available in Unicoi county.

Bird walks, a climbing wall, all-terrain Argo rides, a Kids Corner, funyaks and kayaks on the pond, archery and a kids' fishing derby were a few of the weekend's highlights.

Also, numerous speakers discussed topics that ranged from bears and butterflies to the Civil War and conservation.

The weekend of activities offered 10 separate guided hikes, including a hike on both Saturday and Sunday through the Rocky Fork watershed.

Name Comes From Stream

Rocky Fork got its name from the stream which runs through the tract, and the weekend hike followed Rocky Fork Creek through several miles of the pristine woodland.

Nature photographer David Ramsey led Saturday's approximately six-mile trek through Rocky Fork. The hike was rated as "moderate" in difficulty, and mainly followed an old gravel logging road. Saturday's group received the rare treat of hearing not only from David Ramsey but also from Rocky Fork native Carl Ramsey.

David Ramsey's family is from Rocky Fork, and Carl Ramsey owns the only home on the Rocky Fork Creek. Although no one knows the blood relation between the two Ramseys, they share a personal knowledge of the land and a passion to conserve its beauty for generations to come.

"This is a place I want my grandchildren, their children, and their children to just be able to enjoy," said Carl Ramsey.

Fund-Raising Under Way

An organization called New Forestry LLC currently owns Rocky Fork while a company named Timbervest manages it.

Timbervest is the company with which The Conservation Fund has been negotiating to purchase Rocky Fork for $39.95 million by Dec. 15.

That acquisition would be a dream come true for David Ramsey, who has been actively raising support to protect Rocky Fork for numerous years. The Conservation Fund has a little over five months to complete fund-raising.

David Ramsey spoke of plans for a gated community in Rocky Fork. He explained the negative effects such a development would have on the environment and wildlife, and what he said is the importance of protecting the watershed forever from this possibility.

If The Conservation Fund cannot purchase Rocky Fork, it was explained, the tract will remain open to the possibility of private purchase and development.

Water And Wildlife

Rocky Fork Creek is the cleanest tributary of the Nolichucky River, Greene County's main water source, according to David Ramsey.

Any commercial or residential development there, he said, would adversely affect the creek and ultimately this county's water supply. "We are all connected in one way or another," he stated.

The land is currently leased by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and is open to the public for hiking and fishing, although certain regulations apply for fishing. Only artificial lures and a single hook may be used within its boundaries.

The fish are part of the reason Rocky Fork has received so much attention. Rocky Fork's water is home to Appalachian wood trout and wild rainbow trout, which are not a rare sight when one is hiking near the stream's headwaters and tributaries.

Rocky Fork is also part of the Unicoi Bear Reserve, and numerous wildlife, including the state-endangered peregrine falcon, make the watershed their home.

The watershed's unique and abundant wildlife is part of what makes it so special, it was explained. Bears or signs of their presence are frequently sighted.

"You can distinctly see the bear's padded foot and each of the toes," said David Ramsey as Saturday's hiking group crowded around a bear print in the mud along the trail.

He provided running commentary on Rocky Fork's importance and history, while Carl Ramsey reminisced about "the good ol' days" hiking, hunting and fishing through the untouched woodland.

How To Get There

Although 4,000 acres of the Rocky Fork property are in Greene County, the tract cannot be reached from this county by road. A trip to the area by foot is possible from the end of Cold Mountain Road in Horse Creek State Park, but it is a difficult route.

A trip by vehicle would require going to Erwin, taking Interstate 26 south toward Asheville to the Clear Branch exit, and heading south on Tennessee Route 352 for a short distance. Some maps erroneously show Rocky Fork as part of the Cherokee National Forest.

Those interested in Rocky Fork and its preservation may visit www.saverockyfork.org