Table Rock (North Carolina)

Table Rock is a mountain in the east rim of Linville Gorge, part of Pisgah National Forest (Grandfather Ranger District). It features a distinctive rock formation, and is a prominent peak in the area.[2]

Table Rock
A view of Table Rock from the Chimneys
Highest point
Elevation3,940 ft (1,200 m) [1]
Coordinates35°53′10″N 81°53′04″W [2]
Geography
Parent rangeBlue Ridge Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Linville Falls Quad
Climbing
Easiest routeHike

The peak makes for a quick hike from a nearby parking area, and is also very popular for rock climbing.[3] It is described as having a "national reputation of being the best place to climb in the Southeastern U.S.",[3] and the "hub of climbing activity in Linville Gorge".[4]

Table Rock is also known for its flora. Botanists André Michaux and John Fraser found various plants in the area in the nineteenth century. Fraser discovered Fraser's Sedge near the mountain.[3]

Table Rock has been described as "the most visible symbol in the region".[3] Former North Carolina senator Sam Ervin said that he retired to the nearby town of Morganton to "watch the glorious sunsets over Table Rock".[5] In addition, Jules Verne's novel Master of the World describes Table Rock, which is called Great Eyrie in the book, as "rising high above the valley to sometimes belch strange sounds and fire over the little village of Morganton".[3]

A wildfire swept through the area in November 2013. At least one hundred firefighters were involved.[6]

References
  1. "Linville Gorge Wilderness" (JPG).
  2. "Table Rock". SummitPost.org. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  3. Clark, Larry (2007). Burke County, North Carolina: Historic Tales from the Gateway to the Blue Ridge. The History Press. pp. 11–12. ISBN 1-59629-323-3.
  4. Busch, Wayne. "North Carolina - Linville Gorge". Flatliners Southeast Climbing. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  5. Leslie, Bill (April 24, 2007). "North Carolina Heroes". WRAL.com. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  6. Morrison, Clarke (14 November 2013). "Linville Gorge fire expands to 1,800 acres". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
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