G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area
Encyclopedia
G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area is a protected area
located primarily in Fauquier County, Virginia
, with small encroachments into both Warren
and Clarke Counties
. Its two parcels together total nearly 4000 acres (16.2 km²) in size, rising in a series of steep stages to the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains
, which the area's northwestern boundary closely follows. Elevations on the property range from 700 feet (213.4 m) to 2200 feet (670.6 m) above sea level
.
Most of the forest
s found on the land are hardwood
s, but there is some open land at the bottom and near the top of one tract. The remains of growths of fruit trees may still be seen at the lower portion of the area. A number of major stream
s and unusual spring seeps
may also be found there, as may several outcrop
ings of rock. The scenic Appalachian Trail
crosses through its boundaries along the crest of the Blue Ridge, and the WMA contains several side trails that provide access to the area.
In the spring, the area is renowned for its large stands of trillium
, reputed to be the largest on the eastcoast, and yellow Lady Slippers.
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
located primarily in Fauquier County, Virginia
Fauquier County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 55,139 people, 19,842 households, and 15,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 21,046 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
, with small encroachments into both Warren
Warren County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,584 people, 12,087 households, and 8,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 people per square mile . There were 13,299 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
and Clarke Counties
Clarke County, Virginia
Clarke County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 14,034. Its county seat is Berryville.-History:Clarke County was established in 1836 by Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron who built a home, Greenway Court, on part of his 5 million acre property,...
. Its two parcels together total nearly 4000 acres (16.2 km²) in size, rising in a series of steep stages to the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
, which the area's northwestern boundary closely follows. Elevations on the property range from 700 feet (213.4 m) to 2200 feet (670.6 m) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
.
Most of the forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s found on the land are hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood is wood from angiosperm trees . It may also be used for those trees themselves: these are usually broad-leaved; in temperate and boreal latitudes they are mostly deciduous, but in tropics and subtropics mostly evergreen.Hardwood contrasts with softwood...
s, but there is some open land at the bottom and near the top of one tract. The remains of growths of fruit trees may still be seen at the lower portion of the area. A number of major stream
Stream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
s and unusual spring seeps
Seep (hydrology)
A Seep is a moist or wet place where water, usually groundwater, reaches the earth's surface from an underground aquifer.-Description:Seeps are usually not of sufficient volume to be flowing beyond their above-ground location. They are part of the limnology-geomorphology system...
may also be found there, as may several outcrop
Outcrop
An outcrop is a visible exposure of bedrock or ancient superficial deposits on the surface of the Earth. -Features:Outcrops do not cover the majority of the Earth's land surface because in most places the bedrock or superficial deposits are covered by a mantle of soil and vegetation and cannot be...
ings of rock. The scenic Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
crosses through its boundaries along the crest of the Blue Ridge, and the WMA contains several side trails that provide access to the area.
In the spring, the area is renowned for its large stands of trillium
Trillium
Trillium is a genus of about 40–50 species of spring ephemeral perennials, native to temperate regions of North America and Asia....
, reputed to be the largest on the eastcoast, and yellow Lady Slippers.