Aerial view of Peachtree Ridge, with Rock Creek and Dry Creek beyond

Event: Helicopter tour of Coal River and Mountaintop Removal Sites.
"These are aerials of some of the Coal River communities and sites of our field research, including the Left and Right hand Forks of Rock Creek (which Benny Campbell called "a pretty flat valley, for this country"), Drews Creek, Peachtree Creek, and Naoma. The highwall at the head of Peachtree and Drews Creek exemplifies what is known as "pre-law mining," that is, strip mining practiced before the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 required operators to restore mountains to their "approximate original contour." Note that the undisturbed area in this form of mining is above the mined area, whereas in mountaintop removal, the undisturbed ground is below the area to be replanted with non-native species (see study by Edmunds and Loucks).
The "knobs" protruding into the horizon have long served as navigational landmarks. Commenting on this photograph, Joe Aliff, of Rock Creek, wrote: "Sitting at the head of both Horse Creek and Dry Creek, and visible in the upper left corner, is Pond Knob. The site of an ancient Native American campground, it is still visited by thirsty travelers and the many wild animals of the area. Just to the left of center is Sulphur Spring Knob, which sits at the head of the Left hand Fork of Rock Creek. Both of these knobs have long been used as 'orientation landmarks' by the hunters and gatherers who travel these mountains."