Rocky Mountain (via Unicoi Gap)

The Chattahoochee National Forest is one of two National Forests in the State of Georgia, and it takes its name from the Chattahoochee River whose headwaters begin in the North Georgia mountains. The River and the area were given the name by the English settlers who heard it from the Indians that once lived here. The Chattahoochee National Forest was created when the Forest Service purchased 31,000 acres in Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin and Union Counties from the Gennett family in 1911 for $7.00 per acre. In the beginning, the Chattahoochee was part of the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests in North Carolina and Tennessee, but eventually the Forest Service made additional land purchases and expanded the Chattahoochee to its current size of nearly 750,000 acres.

This short hike to Rocky Mountain starts at Unicoi Gap and climbs 1100 feet to a designated campsite along the Appalachian Trail. There is a spring/stream located 0.8 miles before the summit which is the water source for the campsite.  As you pass the spring and continue to hike the A.T. southbound, there is a a blue-blazed side trail that meets the Trail from the left – which is the Rocky Mountain Trail. This trail junction is 0.4 miles from the summit, and provides another access point to Rocky Mountain.  On Rocky Mountain, there is a small rock outcrop on the A.T. (located 20 yards past the campsite) with scenic views to Yonah Mountain and to the south. So this is a pleasant day hike if you are looking to spend a few hours on the Trail.