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Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

items 100 of 144 items
  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-2788.jpg
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  • about 4,500 feet, and are completely eliminated 100-200 feet below the top, forming mountain pastures or 'alps.' A number of native and introduced grasses, abundant ruderals, and a few low shrubs compose the flora. The influence of over a hundred years of intermittent grazing has made its impression on the vegetation; but in all probability these balds are natural phenomena." In fact, tradition says that before white men turned their cattle on to the balds to graze, the grass was "saddle high." Paul M. Fink, of Jonesboro, Tennessee, who is an authority on many Park questions, calls the grassy balds a "forest enigma." Willa Love Galyon has given a fine description of the sand myrtle which grows so plentifully on Mount LeConte and other isolated spots. "The sand myrtle, with its tiny shellacked leaves and myriads of star-like pink and white flowers, is always an object of admiration. Growing in crevices and on rocks on wind-swept summits, one marvels at its ability to obtain nutrient materials and to withstand the storms which so frequently test its stout roots. Sand myrtle is such a sturdy shrub that one can lie down on it and spring up and down and never touch the ground." ADMINISTRATION The representative of the National Park Service in immediate charge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park IS the superintendent, J. Ross Eakin, with temporary headquarters at Gatlinburg, Tenn. General information may be obtained from him. An assistant chief ranger maintains a small office at Bryson City, X. C. 100
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Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).