Hightower Bald
| Hightower Bald | |
|---|---|
 Hightower Bald | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,568 ft (1,392 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 848 ft (258 m)[1] |
| Geography | |
  Hightower Bald | |
| Parent range | Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Hightower Bald |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Hightower Bald, with an elevation of 4,568 feet (1,392 m) is the fourth-highest peak in the US state of Georgia. It is located in Towns County, Georgia at the North Carolina state line and is within the boundaries of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Geography
Hightower Bald is located on an east-west trending ridge inside the Southern Nantahala Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Towns County, Georgia. The mountain is located about 8 miles (13 km) east of Hiawassee and 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Tate City. Nearby geographical features include Rich Knob, Shooting Creek Bald, Loggy Branch Cove and Bly Gap.[2][3] There are cliffs on the south face of the mountain.[4]
On Hightower Bald's northern slopes are Montgomery's Corner and the 30 Mile Post. Between these two points, the North Carolina and Georgia border run in a north-south direction for about 2,000 feet (610 m) instead of a its usual east-west direction.[4] This border feature was the result of two surveying expeditions conducted in the early 19th century. In 1818, mathematician James Camak incorrectly calculated the 35th parallel north as being located south of Nickajack Lake. Camak and his survey team proceeded to mark Georgia's northern border 110 miles (180 km) east, stopping about 700 feet (210 m) south of Hightower Bald's summit.[2][5] In 1819, Camak proceeded to conduct another survey of Georgia's northern border, starting at Ellicott's Rock.[5] After marking for 30 miles (48 km), Camak's group reached the location they stopped at the previous year. When they got there, they noticed that they were 661 yards (604 m) north of the earlier mark.[6] Instead of redoing the survey, Camak decided to connect the eastward and westward lines.[5] The southern mark was named Montgomery's Corner, after a surveyor who accompanied Camak in his two surveying trips.[5] This mistake played a part in the Tri-state water dispute as Georgia was unable to withdraw water from the Tennessee River, a river which passed through the 35th parallel.[7]
Flora and fauna
The summit of Hightower Bald contains a dwarfed red oak forest, with beaked hazel and hawthorn trees in the understory. Hightower Bald's cliffs is home to Hypericum (Blue Ridge St. John's wort), selaginella rupestris (rock spikemoss) and viburnum alnifolium (wild hydrangea).[4][3] Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple), cladrastis kentukea (yellowwood), Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree) and birches grow at Loggy Branch Cove, located on the mountain's northern side. The forest on Hightower Bald's northern slope is described as a broadleaf deciduous cove forest.[3]
Red-backed voles are also found on the mountain.[4]
Hiking
No trails pass over Hightower Bald's summit. However, the mountain can be reached by hiking off-trail west from the Appalachian Trail at Rich Knob or Bly Gap.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Hightower Bald. peakbagger.com. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ a b United States Geological Survey (10 May 2016). Hightower Bald, GA quadrangle (Topographic map). Reston, VA: United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 10 May 2016 – via TopoQuest.
- ^ a b c Wharton, Charles. The Natural Environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 1978. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e The Hightower Area of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. sherpaguides.com. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d Morton, William J. Boundaries of Georgia. New Georgia Encyclopedia. 03 September 2014. Web. 10 May 2016.
- ^ Smith, Gary Alden. State and National Boundaries of the United States. 2011. ISBN 0786461187. pp.69.
- ^ Morton William. How Georgia got its northern boundary – and why we can’t get water from the Tennessee River. Saporta Report. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
External links
