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Big Schloss Proposed National Scenic Area

Approximate Size:  30,129 acres

Location: Frederick and Shenandoah Counties, Virginia in the Lee District
                Hardy County, West Virginia in the Lee District

Big Schloss is one of the largest inventoried roadless areas not only on the George Washington National Forest, but in all of the eastern National Forest.  The National Scenic Area proposal includes not only the Big Schloss Virginia Mountain Treasure but also the Great North Mountain and Jonnies Knob Virginia Mountain Treasures. 

The elevations of this area range from 1600 feet to almost 3300 at the top of Mill Mountain.  The ridgetops are capped with sandstone which creates the many rock outcrops the area is noted for.  Some of these include Big Schloss, Little Schloss, Halfmoon, and Three High Heads.  These rocky knobs are "hacking sites" where endangered Peregrine Falcons were reintroduced to the wild. 

The upper reaches of Stony Creek, Paddy Run, and Cove Run have their beginnings in the Big Schloss.  These are all tributaries of Cedar Creek and the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Approximately 7500 acres of this roadless area lie within the Big Schloss Special Management Area.  The Salus Spring Special Biological Area is also within the boundaries of the proposal.  Much of the area is considered unsuitable for timber harvesting and is managed to maintain a natural appearance.

Recreational activities are the highlight of the area.  Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking are the primary recreational activities.  In the late fall hunters take to the woods in large numbers, and fishing opportunities are well known in Little Stony Creek, a native trout stream.

There is an 866 acre forest plan Special Biological Area as well as 4825 acres of possible old growth.

Inside the proposed NSA, Three High Heads is a proposed Wilderness study area.  This proposal is 5224 acres and lies on the northeastern end of the Big Schloss roadless area.
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© Virginia Wilderness Committee, 2013

Contact us:
Virginia Wilderness Committee
info@vawilderness.org
P.O. Box 1235
​
Lexington, VA 24450
(540) 464-1661