Balsam Gap

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Balsam Gap

USGS Map of Balsam Gap
Elevation 3400 ft.
Location North Carolina, Flag of the United States United States
Range Great Balsam Mountains
Coordinates 35°26′02″N 83°04′40″W / 35.4339907, -83.0776402Coordinates: 35°26′02″N 83°04′40″W / 35.4339907, -83.0776402
Topo map Topozone

Balsam Gap (el. 3400 ft.) is a gap (also known as a pass) between Waterrock Knob to the Northwest and Grassy Bald to the Southeast on the county line dividing Haywood and Jackson counties in the western mountains of the U.S. state of North Carolina.[1]

The gap allows both the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway and the Murphy Branch of the Norfolk Southern Railway to cross between the two counties running East-West. The Blue Ridge Parkway also runs through the gap in a North-South direction crossing both the expressway and railway branch.

The gap is named for the Great Balsam Mountains in which it lies. The small, unincorporated communities of Balsam in Jackson County and Saunook in Haywood County are also located close by.

[edit] References

  1. ^ USGS GNIS: Balsam Gap