Rich Mountain (Georgia)

Rich Mountain, elevation 4,040 feet (1,230 m), is the highest point in the Rich Mountain Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Gilmer County, Georgia. It is the second-highest peak in Gilmer County; only Big Bald Mountain is taller, with its summit at 4,081 feet (1,244 m).

This article is about the mountain in the U.S. state of Georgia. For other uses, see Rich Mountain (disambiguation).
Rich Mountain
Rich Mountain viewed from Georgia State Route 515
Highest point
Elevation4,040 ft (1,230 m) [1]
Prominence331 ft
Coordinates34.743611°N 84.343056°W / 34.743611; -84.343056 [1][2]
Geography
Rich Mountain
Location of Rich Mountain in Georgia
LocationGilmer County, Georgia, U.S.
Parent rangeGeorgia Blue Ridge Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Tickanetley
Climbing
Easiest routeHiking

Description

Rich Mountain is the namesake peak of the Rich Mountains, a circular-shaped range of mountains located in northeastern Gilmer County.[2] Rich Mountain is located at the center of this range, with ridges and valleys radiating outward from the mountain.[3] Many of these mountains are covered in a deep, black porter's loam.[4] The vegetation in the area consists of second-growth hardwood forests.[5]

The mountain is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Cherry Log and 9 miles (14 km) northeast of Ellijay. Big Bald Mountain, the highest point in Gilmer County, is located about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) northeast of Rich Mountain. U.S. Route 76 runs to the west of the mountain. Rich Mountain's summit is located inside the Rich Mountain Wilderness, as well as the Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area.[2][6]

With an elevation of 4,040 feet (1,230 m), Rich Mountain is the second tallest mountain in Gilmer County and the highest point of the Rich Mountain Wilderness.[1] It is also the 21st tallest mountain in the state of Georgia, if using a 160 feet prominence rule.[7]

The Civilian Conservation Corps built a fire tower on Rich Mountain's summit during the Great Depression; only a stone chimney and fireplace remain standing on the summit.[8][9]

Hiking

No trails pass over Rich Mountain's summit. However, hikers can climb to the summit by hiking off-trail from Rich Mountain Road, a former logging road running through the Rich Mountains.[1][10]

See also

References
  1. Rich Mountain. peakbagger.com. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  2. United States Geological Survey (18 March 2017). Tickanetley, GA quadrangle (Topographic map). Reston, VA: United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 18 March 2017 – via TopoQuest.
  3. Foose, M.P. Geology of the Rich Mountain Roadless Area, Gilmer and Fannin counties, Georgia (1985). USGS.
  4. The Georgia Conservancy. The Rich Mountains. Longstreet Highroad Guide to the North Georgia Mountains. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  5. USDA. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (N.F.), Land and Resource(s) Management Plan (LRMP) - Environmental Impact Statement. (1985). pp. C-52.
  6. Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area. georgiawildlife.com. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  7. Georgia 4000-foot Peaks. peakbagger.com. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  8. Gilmer County High Point Trip Report. COHP.org. 16 April 2000. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  9. Georgia. Dept. of Forestry and Geological Development. Forestry-geological Review ..., Volumes 1-7 (1931).
  10. USDA Forest Service. DECISION NOTICE AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FOR THE RICH MOUNTAIN PROJECT. 2004. Retrieved 18 March 2017.

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