Rich Mountain, elevation , is the highest point in the Rich Mountain Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Gilmer County, Georgia. It is the second-highest peak in Gilmer County; only Big Bald Mountain is taller, with its summit at .
Description Rich Mountain is the namesake peak of the Rich Mountains, a circular-shaped range of mountains located in northeastern Gilmer County. Rich Mountain is located at the center of this range, with ridges and valleys radiating outward from the mountain.Foose, M.P. Geology of the Rich Mountain Roadless Area, Gilmer and Fannin counties, Georgia (1985). USGS. Many of these mountains are covered in a deep, black porter's loam.The Georgia Conservancy. The Rich Mountains. Longstreet Highroad Guide to the North Georgia Mountains. Retrieved 18 March 2017. The vegetation in the area consists of second-growth hardwood forests.USDA. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (N.F.), Land and Resource(s) Management Plan (LRMP) - Environmental Impact Statement. (1985). pp. C-52.
The mountain is located about southwest of Cherry Log and northeast of Ellijay. Big Bald Mountain, the highest point in Gilmer County, is located about northeast of Rich Mountain. U.S. Route 76 runs to the west of the mountain. Rich Mountain's summit is located inside the Rich Mountain Wilderness, as well as the Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area.Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area. georgiawildlife.com. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
With an elevation of , Rich Mountain is the second tallest mountain in Gilmer County and the highest point of the Rich Mountain Wilderness. It is also the 21st tallest mountain in the state of Georgia, if using a 160 feet prominence rule.Georgia 4000-foot Peaks. peakbagger.com. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
The Civilian Conservation Corps built a fire tower on Rich Mountain's summit during the Great Depression; only a stone chimney and fireplace remain standing on the summit. Gilmer County High Point Trip Report. COHP.org. 16 April 2000. Retrieved 18 March 2017.Georgia. Dept. of Forestry and Geological Development. Forestry-geological Review ..., Volumes 1-7 (1931).
Hiking No trails pass over Rich Mountain's summit. However, hikers can climb to the summit by hiking off-trail from Rich Mountain Road, a former logging road running through the Rich Mountains.USDA Forest Service. DECISION NOTICE AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS FOR THE RICH MOUNTAIN PROJECT. 2004. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
See also List of mountains in Georgia (U.S. state)
References
Georgia's Named Summits 100 highest peaks in Georgia Georgia peaks over 4,000 feet
External links
Topographical map of Rich Mountain