This is Ridgepole Mountain. Ridgepole Mountain is located just barely north of the NC/GA border. If not for a bit of interesting history, this mountain would have ended up in Georgia instead of North Carolina. Since Ridgepole Mountain is over 5,000 feet above sea level, it would have easily displaced Brasstown Bald as the highest peak in Georgia. If that had happened, Ridgepole Mountain would--like Brasstown Bald today--have a paved road leading to the top, along with a museum and visitor center and bathrooms and who knows what else. But because it ended up being just another 5,000-foot peak in a state packed with mountains that tall, Ridgepole sits in the middle of a huge wilderness area with no roads whatsoever and only a couple of trails on it (including the Appalachian Trail), providing habitat for a vast population of wildlife. Mile for mile there are more bears in this area than even in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. So, happily for those of us who love wilderness, it didn't end up being Georgia's highest peak and instead is just one more 5,000-foot summit in North Carolina. |
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2 comments:
I'm guessing the bit of history you're talking about is the border dispute between Georgia and North Carolina. I know someone who recently hiked to Ellicott's Rock (I had always thought it was a mountain top), which caused me to read up on that whole affair. Like you say, it is some interesting history.
The various states would sometimes argue with one another over territory. Sometimes actually fighting over it. Weird history.
I've done a little hiking in the Ellicott's Rock Wilderness, but mainly along the river. Did a little bushwhack there to see a truly impressive waterfall that has no trail access. Amazing to see such a waterfall and no way for the tourists to get there--it was great!
I have yet to see the actual Ellicott's Rock. Too many places to hike. Not enough time.
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