Unicoi Unity

The Unicoi Mountains straddle the Tennessee-North Carolina state line just south of the Great Smoky Mountains, separated from the latter mountains only by the Little Tennessee River. Extending from the Little Tennessee River southward to the Hiwassee River, the Unicois are a southern segment of the high Unaka ridge that forms the western escarpment of the southern Appalachians. The Snowbird Mountains are included with the Unicois because they are connected like a spur ridge to the Unicois. The Unicois have been isolated and difficult to access until the completion in 1996 of the forty-two-mile-long, superbly scenic Cherohala Skyway that courses along the highest ridges of the Unicois at elevations up to 5,390 feet and provides outstanding views of forested mountains. The Unicoi Mountains have been relatively undisturbed by human development since most of the land is publicly owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The Unicois harbor many diverse natural treasures that are hidden from the casual observer. Along with his personal observations, the author describes and synthesizes the results of scientific research on the natural assets of the Unicois, including intensive surveys of plants and animals in certain areas, the results of which have often been reported only in places where the general public cannot easily access them. The author's purpose in writing the book is to share with others what he has learned about the special natural features (landscape, geology, climate, flora, fungi, and fauna) of the Unicois and their historical roots-with the hope of inspiring others to enjoy, cherish, and conserve them. Unicoi Unity also reviews the history of the effects of humans on the Unicoi ecosystem and anticipates future challenges.
About the Author: Owen McConnell has had a passionate, life-long interest in the natural sciences, taking many science courses as an undergraduate at Duke University where he minored in zoology while earning a B.S. in psychology. After earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Duke University, he served on the psychology faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1962 to 1990 and was also Director of Psychological Services at the state-funded Children's Psychiatric Institute at Butner, N.C. His interest in, and exploration of, the Unicoi Mountains began in 1964 when he started camping there in Horse Cove Campground with his wife, Pat, and two young sons during summer vacations. In 1971 Owen and Pat purchased 15 acres of land on West Buffalo Creek in the Unicoi Mountains and began tent camping there during holidays. When Owen retired in 1990, he immediately began personally building (with the generous help of his friend, Dave Parton) a cabin on this land. Since the late 1960s he has kept files of trustworthy information gathered about the Unicois, including records of plants, mushrooms, and animals that he observed there, as well as records of observations made by other persons who were qualified identifiers. His desire now is to share with others what he has found so fascinating.