The Angels Rest Cluster is a region in the Jefferson National Forest recognized by The Wilderness Society for its diversity of habitats with steep mountains, an isolated valley, a waterfall and wetlands.

[1][2] The Angels Rest Cluster contains two wildlands recognized by the Wilderness Society as “Mountain Treasures”, areas that are worthy of protection from logging and road construction.

The Appalachian Trail passes along the length of the cluster, from Pearisburg on the north it begins the climb to Angels Rest, then follows along the ridge of Pearis Mountain, crosses Sugar Run Gap, turns to proceed along Sugar Run Mountain to a descent along Dismal Creek, passing Dismal Creek Falls, to reach Va 606, the southern end of the cluster.

“Wapiti” is the Indian name for elk, a mammal that was once abundant in the Appalachians but hunted to extinction, with the last one believed to have been shot in 1867.

[4][5] The land form, climate, soils and geology of the Appalachian highlands, as well as its evolutionary history, have created one of the most diverse collection of plants and animals in the deciduous forests of the temperate world.

Pearis donated land, timber and stone for the construction of public buildings, including a courthouse that brought the town of Pearisburg into being.

[11] Other clusters of the Wilderness Society's "Mountain Treasures" in the Jefferson National Forest (north to south):