Mountain Range

Southern Appalachian Ridges summits

Named peaks, snowpack stations, streamflow gauges and watersheds in the Southern Appalachian Ridges. Built for climbers, hikers, anglers, paddlers, and anyone curious about how the range is faring this season.

Named summits
5
Highest peak
5,940ft
SNOTEL stations
6
USGS gauges
34
Open the Southern Appalachian Ridges on the map Every peak, gauge, and SNOTEL station overlaid on terrain.
Open the map →
May
18
2026
Range overview
The Southern Appalachian Ridges mountain range covers a vast area of the eastern United States, spanning 1,500 miles along the Appalachian Mountains. The range includes notable peaks such as Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Other notable peaks include Mount Rogers in Virginia and Clingmans Dome in Tennessee. The range is known for its significant hydrology, with the headwaters of major rivers such as the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Chattahoochee all originating in the Southern Appalachians. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic drive that stretches 469 miles from Virginia to North Carolina, is a popular attraction in the region. The Southern Appalachians are also home to unique plant and animal species, including the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel. The range has a rich history, with Native Americans and early settlers utilizing the resources of the mountains for centuries.
Southern Appalachian Ridges at a glance

Range-wide overview

The Southern Appalachian Ridges in four data points -- summits, climate stations, and water-flow coverage.

Highest peak

Shining Rock 5,940 ft

Most prominent named summit in the range.

Average elevation

Across 5 summits 3,943 ft

Mean of every named peak Snoflo tracks here.

Climate stations

SNOTEL + USGS gauges 6 + 34

Real-time snowpack and streamflow coverage.

Watersheds drained

HUC sub-basins touched 4

Hydrologic sub-basins the range feeds.

Summit inventory

Southern Appalachian Ridges named peaks

Every named summit Snoflo tracks in the Southern Appalachian Ridges, sorted by elevation. Elevation is heat-mapped to highlight the alpine zone. Tap any peak for its full report.

5 peaks
Peak Elevation
Shining Rock 5,940 ft
Buckhorn Knob 4,069 ft
Table Rock 3,890 ft
Pinnacle Mountain 3,415 ft
Cheaha Mountain 2,405 ft
Climate signal

Snowpack & streamflow in the Southern Appalachian Ridges

Live readings from every SNOTEL station and USGS streamgauge feeding the range's drainages.

SNOTEL snowpack

Station Snowpack SWE Elev
Bluefield · · 2,513ft
Bluestone Lake · · 1,385ft
Burkes Garden · · 3,114ft
Greenville 1 Se · · 1,663ft
Cleveland 3 S · · 1,030ft
Fountain Inn 2 Sw · · 833ft

USGS streamflow

Gauge Flow Gage Elev
Walker Creek At Bane, Va 65.3 cfs 3.16ft 1,688.0ft
Bluestone River At Falls Mills, Va 18.2 cfs 1.79ft 2,360.0ft
Wolf Creek Near Narrows, Va 64.7 cfs 2.98ft 1,600.0ft
New River At Glen Lyn, Va 1630.0 cfs 2.88ft 1,503.0ft
Bluestone River Near Pipestem, Wv 89.3 cfs 2.52ft 1,529.0ft
East Fork Pigeon River Near Canton, Nc 30.5 cfs 0.07ft 2,681.0ft
W Fk Pigeon R At Bethel, Nc 43.0 cfs 0.19ft 2,676.0ft
W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood, Nc 21.8 cfs 0.87ft 2,977.0ft
West Fork Pigeon River Near Retreat, Nc 36.4 cfs 1.15ft 2,945.0ft
Pigeon River Near Canton, Nc 83.5 cfs 1.38ft 2,584.0ft
Pigeon River Near Hepco, Nc 178.0 cfs 1.76ft 2,340.0ft
Cataloochee Creek Near Cataloochee, Nc 51.6 cfs 2.12ft 2,464.0ft
Pigeon R Bl Power Plant Nr Waterville, Nc 154.0 cfs 7.0ft 1,398.0ft
Pigeon River At Newport, Tn 270.0 cfs 2.79ft 1,075.0ft
Saluda River Below Lk Murray Dam Nr Columbia, Sc 775.0 cfs 3.68ft 177.0ft
Lake Greenwood Tailrace Nr Chappells, Sc 430.0 cfs 6.42ft 378.0ft
Bush River Nr Prosperity, S C 12.9 cfs 1.69ft 362.0ft
Saluda River At Chappells, Sc 398.0 cfs 1.81ft 375.0ft
Little River Nr Silverstreet, Sc 45.4 cfs 2.5ft 364.0ft
Saluda River Near Ware Shoals, Sc 249.0 cfs 2.22ft 443.0ft
Outdoor recreation

What to do in the Southern Appalachian Ridges

Climbing, hiking, fishing, paddling, and more -- everything Snoflo tracks for the range.

Mountain activities

1. Hiking: The Southern Appalachian Ridges offer countless hiking trails, varying in difficulty and length. Some popular trails within the range include the Appalachian Trail, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hiking allows visitors to experience the stunning natural beauty of the mountains, as well as observe diverse wildlife and plant species.

2. Rock Climbing: The rugged terrain of the Southern Appalachian Ridges provides ample opportunities for rock climbing enthusiasts. Popular climbing destinations within the range include Linville Gorge, Looking Glass Rock, and Chimney Rock State Park. Climbers can challenge themselves on a variety of routes, ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced.

3. Camping: Camping is a popular outdoor recreational activity in the Southern Appalachian Ridges, with numerous campgrounds and backcountry camping options available. Visitors can enjoy sleeping under the stars, cooking over a campfire, and immersing themselves in the tranquility of the mountains. Popular camping destinations within the range include Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, and Cherokee National Forest.

4. Mountain Biking: The Southern Appalachian Ridges offer a variety of mountain biking trails, ranging from smooth, beginner-friendly paths to rugged, advanced terrain. Popular mountain biking destinations within the range include Tsali Recreation Area, DuPont State Forest, and Unicoi State Park. Cyclists can enjoy scenic views, challenging climbs, and thrilling descents as they explore the mountains on two wheels.

5. Fishing: The rivers, streams, and lakes of the Southern Appalachian Ridges provide excellent opportunities for fishing enthusiasts. Popular fishing spots within the range include the Davidson River, Watauga River, and Fontana Lake. Anglers can try their luck at catching a variety of fish species, including trout, bass, and catfish, while enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the mountains.
FAQ

About the Southern Appalachian Ridges

How many named peaks are in the Southern Appalachian Ridges?

Snoflo tracks 5 named summits in the Southern Appalachian Ridges. The highest is Shining Rock at 5,940 feet.

Where does the elevation data come from?

Peak elevations are pulled from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and Snoflo's named-summit registry. Snowpack readings come from the NRCS SNOTEL network; streamflow from USGS gauges in the range's drainages.

Are these all walk-up summits?

No. The list ranges from drive-up overlooks to technical alpine objectives. Tap any peak for its full report, route notes, and trip-planning data. Always check weather, avalanche, and trip-report sources before heading out.

How often is the data updated?

Peak elevation is static reference data. Snowpack and streamflow readings refresh continuously from the NRCS and USGS public feeds throughout the day.

Can I get alerts for stations in this range?

Yes. Save any SNOTEL station or USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a threshold (snowpack inches, discharge cfs), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

Explore more ranges

Beyond the Southern Appalachian Ridges

Browse every mountain range Snoflo tracks across the U.S.

Absaroka Range 5 peaks Adirondacks 16 peaks Alaska Range 17 peaks Alaska/Yukon Ranges 73 peaks Aleutian Range 3 peaks Allegheny Mountains 4 peaks Appalachian Mountains 91 peaks Black Hills 5 peaks Blue Ridge Mountains 26 peaks Brooks Range 2 peaks Cascade Range 307 peaks Catskill Mountains 2 peaks Central American Ranges Central And Southern California Ranges 17 peaks Central Appalachian Ridges 2 peaks Central Colorado Ranges 11 peaks Central Montana Rockies 32 peaks Chugach Mountains 23 peaks Colorado Plateau 17 peaks Columbia Mountains 1 peak Columbia Plateau 14 peaks Elk Range Area 15 peaks Far Northern Rockies 1 peak Flat Tops Area 1 peak Front Range 30 peaks Great Basin Ranges 17 peaks Great Plains 3 peaks Green Mountains 4 peaks Idaho-Bitterroot Rockies 11 peaks Intermountain West 70 peaks Kenai Mountains 7 peaks Longfellow Mountains 5 peaks Midwest-Great Lakes Area 3 peaks New England Upland 5 peaks North American Plains 22 peaks Northern Appalachian Ridges 5 peaks Northwest U.S. Coast Ranges 3 peaks Olympic Mountains 25 peaks Ozark Highlands 1 peak Pacific Ranges 436 peaks Rocky Mountains 236 peaks Saint Elias Mountains 4 peaks San Juan Mountains 20 peaks Sangre De Cristo Range 28 peaks Sawatch Range 24 peaks Sierra Nevada 77 peaks Southern Wyoming Ranges 1 peak Southwest Basins And Ranges 18 peaks Talkeetna Mountains 3 peaks Teton Range - Yellowstone Area 13 peaks Uinta Range 6 peaks Wasatch Range 17 peaks White Mountains 18 peaks Wind River Range 6 peaks Wrangell Mountains 6 peaks