Marion progress., 1949-01-27
RECORD NUMBER
VISITED PISCAH
DURING PAST YEAR

of forest recreation. AS has been
true in past years, the Pisgah dis
trict leads in the number of visitors,
but the Mt. Mitchell district use is
increasingly rapidly. During the
year 1,408,700 people were on the
various units of the National Forest,
100000 of these actually used the
improved recreation areas, and about
one million were sightseeing. Many
people visit the forest several times
during the year, and of course this
represents some duplication in the
figures given above. On the other
! hand, no consideration is given to
motorists on the more important
through routes which also pas
through the Forest. The estimate
does not include visitors on the Blue
Ridge Parkway, although much of
the scenery visible from the Park
way is on National Forest land.
The above figures are not an
actual count, but they are a reason
ably accurate estimate. The figures
are arrived at by various means, in
Guiding the actual checking of traf-
flc at strategic points, use of me-
chanical counters at entrances to
recreation areas, counts made by the
recreation guards in the various
areas, and checks with state high
way personnel. The City of Asheville
Watershed guard keeps an accurate
count of users at ~Craggy Gardens.
The North Mills River Recreation
Area continues to receive more use
than any other, but the Pink Beds
area, and the Carolina Hemlock area
on South Toe River also receive very
peak days last summer, people actu-
ally had to wait in line in order to
get into some of the areas, and for
the Forest as a whole use was al
most at capacity.
The polio epidemic seriously in
terferred with the operation of
the organization camp on South
Toe River. This camp is owned by
the Forest Service, but is operated
| by the Optimist Club of Asheville.
The camp was in use only half of
the normal season. On the other
hand, a similar camp on the Croa-
tan, operated by the kiwanis and
Rotary Clubs of New Bern, en-
joyed a long season. About 700
children were guests at this camp
during the summer.
A new overall recreation plan for
the Pisgah- Croatan National Forest
was prepared in the fall, and has
been approved by the Regional For
ester. This is the first major ,,evis-
ion of the 1886 plan unoer which
most of the present developments
were constructed. The new plan calls
for the development Of 22 new
areas, and major additions to six Of
the existing 20 areas. Highest in
priority is the development of the
Roam Mountain area in Mitchell
county, followed by extension Of the
Powhatan and Crazy Gardens
areas, and new constructions at the
Sunburst and Cold Springs areas.
All of this work is of course depend
ent on securing funds for the work.
Plans are complete for Roam Noun
tain, and will be prepared this sum-
mer for the other areas listed. Most
Of the 22 proposed new areas are
small but Roam Mountain will be a
major development. Plans of other
agencies, such as the Blue Ridge
Parkway and the North Carolina
State Parks have been taken into
consideration in preparation of the
Pisgah plan, and there is no duplica-
ton
Construction of major highways
now definitely progra m m
or planned will bring many more
visitors to the Forest, and will make
the development of new areas even
more important. The road down
Pigeon River will top an area now
completely undeveloped. The Cold
Springs Recreation area will be on
this road. Completion of the
Northumberland road will bring
many people into this part of the
Forest. The Sunburst and Sans
Knob Recreation Areas will serve
their needs. The Roam Mountain
Recreation Area is just south of the
highway, which will scross the state
line at Carver's Gap. The completion
of U. S. No. I81 in Burke county
will bring many visitors into this
area, since this highway is a major
approach to the Parkway. The Bark
house Recreation area is planned for
this route.
< Recreation use on the Croatan
district has been lighter than any
o+bor h1,+ is incroasinu ranid1v