Abstract:
At one time, huge herds of buffalo crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains in order to winter along the east coast shoreline. Because these herds had a keen sense of direction, their trails were the same year after year. As a result, they were used as footpaths by the Cherokee Indians, and can still be followed today. Once in Boone, the buffalo trail is called the Wilderness Trail, and continues on into Kentucky. The last reported herd of buffalo to pass through North Carolina was in 1790.