ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
1755 Cleveland Highway
Gainesville, GA 30501
770 297-3000
Rich Mountain Wilderness was dedicated in 1986 by the U.S. government and currently encompasses over 10,000 acres of terrain. The Chattahoochee National Forest Service manages the property which is named after 4,050′ Rich Mountain and where remnants of white settlements can still be seen just north of the summit. The sites date back to around 1910 and post-date some Indian camps that existed along the high ridgelines. In the valley, the well-known Cartecay River slices through the forest where a drainage of the Rich Mountain Wilderness produced the largest gold nugget ever found in Georgia.
The Stanley Gap Trail is a challenging hike that runs from Deep Gap to Stanley Gap in the Rich Mountain Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The route can be hiked in either direction, but it is a long and steady 1000+ foot climb to the top of Rocky Mountain (3,244 feet) regardless of the direction you chose. There are decent winter views in all directions from the summit, and a short section of the Benton MacKaye Trail shares the route with the Stanley Gap Trail south of the Rocky Mountain.
- click to see trail photos from this hike to Rocky Mountain: December 31, 2004
- click to view a brief trip report for this hike on the BMT: December 31, 2004 (password required)
- click to view maps of this hike in the Aska Trails Area: area map, detailed map* (password required)
- click for more information on the Benton MacKaye Trail
- click for other hikes on the Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia
- click for Benton MacKaye Trail hiking and backpacking books
- click for the Long Trail discussion forum
- click for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
- click to access the guidebook Hiking Georgia which has details on the Rich Mountain Wilderness
- click for other Georgia hiking and backpacking books
- click to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
- note, the * indicates these items are not linked but coming soon
Speak Your Mind