Monday, April 23, 2007

 

Sunday was a day of rest.
A rest from hiking the day before. Saturday was a long day. I pack up all the needs, food, water, GPS, compass, first aid, and geocaching goods, and the other regular hiking gear. I called a friend that knew the area and told our plans.
Then at 6 am I jump in the truck and headed out for Hightower Bald 4568 the forth highest mountain in Georgia to find the Montgomery Corner geocache. Met Allen at Micky Dee in Hiawassee at 8am. After a quick snack we were on our way to the mountain. I found some of the following facts on the Internet.
It explains our trip better then I can by myself.
***
As one drives US 76 between Hiawassee and Dick's Creek Gap, the east-west-trending high ridge to the north is the western portion of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. The cliffs are visible near the top of Hightower Bald (4,568 feet), the highest peak in the area and the fourth highest mountain in Georgia. This long, high ridge links a series of peaks with stunning views both north and south. It is an area for the backcountry hiker and explorer. Getting up on the high ridge involves considerable climbing, beginning at the head of deep coves and flats.

On the northern approach there is a wealth of logging roads by which one can hike up to the edge of boulderfields in Loggy Branch watershed

The easiest approach to Montgomery Corner is the Loggy Branch access. How far to drive on these rough roads will be a matter of personal judgment. A jeep road turns and goes south up the hillside west of Loggy Branch, swings right, and passes by an enormous red maple at the foot of a large boulderfield. The road then extends to Loggy Branch a short distance below the wilderness boundary. If so inclined, one can locate the famous Montgomery Corner and/or 30-mile post where the state line takes a large jog north and south. * We found both on this hike. *

Access Route:
Northern access to Loggy Branch Cove, Hightower Bald, and the eastern part of the wilderness. On old US 64 east, pass Bethabara Road .4 mile; turn right at a sign on paved Eagle Fork Creek Road; go 2.1 miles to the third bridge; turn left on a dirt road just before the bridge. At .4 mile a gated road turns left. (This is a very rough jeep road. If chosen, take all other right turns and eventually reach Bly Gap on the Appalachian Trail.)

Past this gated road go about 2 miles from the paved road and follow the most developed road (through some private lands) to reach a U.S. Forest Service sign. Do not cross the branch but turn up the ridge following an old logging road which goes by a huge red maple and on to Loggy Branch, well up in the cove. Whether four-wheel drive is needed will depend on logging activities and rain. Certainly past the government boundary one will need four-wheel drive, but at that point the short distance to the lower cove can be hiked.

***

No where on the Internet does it tell just how steep the climb in past where the four drive ends. It is well over thousand foot climb/hike on up to the the top near montgomery corner.

We found that we had cell coverage on top. that made up feel better, and we let the folks, that knew we were hiking, know all was well. I did get the hundred dollar ftf prize, just kidding.

To my surprise the climb down was hard too. A most rewarding hike and geocaching trip.

More about Loggy Branch Cove:

Loggy Branch Cove itself is a botanical paradise. According to Georgia's eminent botanist Wilbur Duncan, it compares favorably with anything in the Smokies. Up and down Loggy Branch, one can find the black, twisted trunks of the rare yellowwood tree. This is Georgia's largest colony, and one of the largest aggregations of yellowwood in the Blue Ridge. Most of this area is privately owned.

Higher up in the cove, one encounters a northern hardwood forest of beech, sugar maple, and yellow birch. In and below mountain gaps, visitors find the southern limit of the "Beech Gap" phase of this community, where high altitude varieties of beech predominate. On the cold, high side of Hightower just under the top, there is a refuge for two plants normally associated with the spruce-fir forest: a beautiful viburnum and a type of oxalis clover. This is the only place in Georgia where this particular viburnum (Viburnum alnifolium) is known to grow.

posted by Johnnie 11:45 AM

Comments:

Ooooh, now that sounded fun! Wish I could have been there, but we just got back from Arizona. Not too many high end caches while on vacation, but plenty of little ones along the way.

# posted by  Anonymous : 11:52 AM

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