Glady Fork Wetland

Description

Elevation: 2926 ft., This extensive area is home to an unprecedented ecosystem: a flat mountain valley of forested wetland maintained by beaver. Situated at about 3000 feet in elevation, this site possesses a unique ecology based on beaver-dam ecosystems, as they progress through various successional stages. Open meadows, marshes, swampy shrub, ponds, and hardwood forests comprise most of the habitat in this area. Pileated woodpeckers are common, making homes for themselves in the stands of dead trees. At this elevation, songbirds such as chestnut-sided, Canada, yellow-throated, and yellow warblers, as well as northern parula, and dark-eyed junco can be found with relative ease. In addition to typical woodland species mentioned above, the more open areas are also home to grassland birds. Listen for northern bobwhite, and watch vibrant yellow and blue flashes of American goldfinch and indigo bunting cross windswept meadows. Wood duck make themselves at home in secluded woodland ponds. Tree, northern rough-winged, and barn swallows can be seen circling in the sky.

Directions

Parking Area Coordinates: 36.871128, -82.559966

From Tacoma, head south on Stone Mountain Road/SR-706 for approximately 6.4 miles, at Edith Gap turn right onto Forest Service Road Glady Fork/Rt. 291, and the parking area is about 1 mile down the road.