Great Balsam Mountains | |
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Great Balsam Mountains as seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway
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Highest point | |
Peak | Richland Balsam |
Elevation | 6,410 ft (1,950 m) |
Coordinates | 35°22′N 82°59′W / 35.367°N 82.983°WCoordinates: 35°22′N 82°59′W / 35.367°N 82.983°W |
Dimensions | |
Length | 21 mi (34 km) |
Width | 18 mi (29 km) |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | North Carolina |
Parent range | Appalachian Mountains |
Geology | |
Type of rock | gneiss |
The Great Balsam Mountains, or Balsam Mountains, are in the mountain region of western North Carolina, United States. The Great Balsams are a subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which in turn are a part of the Appalachian Mountains. The most famous peak in the Great Balsam range is Cold Mountain, which is the centerpiece of author Charles Frazier's bestselling novel Cold Mountain.
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along its length and at Richland Balsam (milepost 431), the Parkway is at its highest point (6053 feet).
("Mountain heights". Peakbagger.com.)
The area consists of a transition forest between the southern Appalachian spruce–fir forest (which resembles forest types found at northern latitudes) and the mixed deciduous forests of temperate America.
The following trees are at higher elevations: