Southern Nantahala Wilderness
Encyclopedia
The Southern Nantahala Wilderness was designated in 1984 and currently consists of 23473 acres (95 km²). Approximately 11770 acres (47.6 km²) are located in Georgia
in the Chattahoochee National Forest and approximately 11703 acres (47.4 km²) are located in North Carolina
in the Nantahala National Forest
. The Wilderness is managed by the United States Forest Service
and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System
. The highest elevation
in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness is the 5,499-foot (1676 m) peak of Standing Indian Mountain
in North Carolina and the lowest elevation is approximately 2400 feet (731.5 m). The Appalachian Trail
passes through the Wilderness in both states.
In Georgia, the Wilderness is divided into two sections by a corridor on either side of the Tallulah River
. The western part of the Wilderness in Georgia includes the portion of the Appalachian Trail that begins at Blue Ridge Gap and climbs over Rocky Knob
in Towns County
before passing over the eastern flank of Rich Knob
in Rabun County
and entering North Carolina at Bly Gap. The eastern part of the Wilderness in Georgia includes an area on Coleman River
.
In connection with its management of the Wilderness, the Forest Service actively promotes adherence to the Leave No Trace
principles.
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
in the Chattahoochee National Forest and approximately 11703 acres (47.4 km²) are located in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the Nantahala National Forest
Nantahala National Forest
The Nantahala National Forest, established in 1920, is a national forest located in the American state of North Carolina. The word "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "Land of the Noonday Sun." The name is appropriate as, in some spots, the sun only reaches the floors of the deep gorges of the...
. The Wilderness is managed by the United States Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System
National Wilderness Preservation System
The National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States protects federally managed land areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. It was established by the Wilderness Act upon the signature of President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964...
. The highest elevation
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness is the 5,499-foot (1676 m) peak of Standing Indian Mountain
Standing Indian Mountain
Standing Indian Mountain, elevation 5,499 feet, is part of the North Carolina portion of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness within the boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest...
in North Carolina and the lowest elevation is approximately 2400 feet (731.5 m). The 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...
passes through the Wilderness in both states.
In Georgia, the Wilderness is divided into two sections by a corridor on either side of the Tallulah River
Tallulah River
The Tallulah River is a river in Georgia and North Carolina. It begins in Clay County, North Carolina, near Standing Indian Mountain in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness and flows south into Georgia, crossing the state line into Towns County. The river then travels through Rabun County and ends in...
. The western part of the Wilderness in Georgia includes the portion of the Appalachian Trail that begins at Blue Ridge Gap and climbs over Rocky Knob
Rocky Knob (Georgia)
Rocky Knob is a name used to describe eight different mountain peaks located in the North Georgia mountains that are scattered among four different Georgia counties.-Fannin County:...
in Towns County
Towns County, Georgia
Towns County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on March 6, 1856. As of the 2000 census, the population was 9,319. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,894. Its county seat is Hiawassee.-History:...
before passing over the eastern flank of Rich Knob
Rich Knob
Rich Knob, elevation 4,132 feet, is located in Towns County, Georgia. It is part of the Georgia portion of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness and is within the boundaries of the Tallulah Ranger District of the Chattahoochee National Forest...
in Rabun County
Rabun County, Georgia
Rabun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 15,050. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,519...
and entering North Carolina at Bly Gap. The eastern part of the Wilderness in Georgia includes an area on Coleman River
Coleman River
Coleman River is a stream that is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, mostly within Rabun County, Georgia. It is one of the main tributaries of the Tallulah River. The headwaters of Coleman River are located in Clay County, North Carolina, and the river travels a short distance before crossing...
.
In connection with its management of the Wilderness, the Forest Service actively promotes adherence to the Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is both a set of principles, and an organization that promotes those principles. The principles are designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions about how to reduce their impacts when they hike, camp, picnic, snowshoe, run, bike, hunt, paddle, ride horses, fish, ski or...
principles.