Hightower Bald
| Hightower Bald | |
|---|---|
 Hightower Bald | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,568 ft (1,392 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 848 ft (258 m)[1] |
| Coordinates | 34°59′05″N 83°37′13″W / 34.984722°N 83.620278°W[1] |
| Geography | |
  Hightower Bald | |
| Parent range | Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Hightower Bald |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Hightower Bald, with an
Geography
Hightower Bald is located on an east-west trending ridge inside the
On Hightower Bald's northern slopes are two border features: Montgomery's Corner and the 30 Mile Post. Between these two points, the North Carolina-Georgia border runs in a north-south direction for about 2,000 feet (610 m) instead of its usual east-west direction.[4] These border features were the results of two surveying expeditions conducted in the early 19th century.[5] When Tennessee became a state in 1796, Congress designated Georgia's northern boundaries as the 35th parallel north.[6] In 1818, mathematician James Camak incorrectly calculated the 35th parallel north as being located south of Nickajack Lake. Camak and his survey team then proceeded to mark Georgia's northern border 110 miles (180 km) east, stopping about 700 feet (210 m) north of Hightower Bald's summit.[2][5]
In 1819, Camak conducted another survey of Georgia's northern border, this time starting from Ellicott's Rock and surveying westward.[5] After marking for 30 miles (48 km), Camak's group reached Hightower Bald's northern slopes. When they got there, they noticed that they were 661 yards (604 m) north of the previous year's mark.[7] Instead of redoing the survey, Camak decided to connect the eastward and westward lines.[5] The southern mark was named Montgomery's Corner, after a surveyor who accompanied Camak in his two surveying trips.[5] This mistake played a part in a water rights dispute between Georgia and Tennessee; Georgia was unable to withdraw water from the Tennessee River despite the river passing through the 35th parallel.[8]
Flora and fauna
The summit of Hightower Bald contains a
Southern red-backed voles are also found on the mountain.[4]
Hiking
No trails pass over Hightower Bald's summit. However, the mountain can be reached by hiking off-trail west from the Appalachian Trail at Rich Knob or Bly Gap.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Hightower Bald. peakbagger.com. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ a b United States Geological Survey (10 May 2016). Hightower Bald, GA quadrangle (Topographic map). Reston, VA: United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 10 May 2016 – via TopoQuest.
- ^ a b c Wharton, Charles. The Natural Environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 1978. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e The Hightower Area of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. sherpaguides.com. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Morton, William J. Boundaries of Georgia. New Georgia Encyclopedia. 03 September 2014. Web. 10 May 2016.
- ^ Bluestein, Greg. Drought Has Georgia Revisiting Border Dispute. AP. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ISBN 0786461187. pp.69.
- ^ Morton William. How Georgia got its northern boundary – and why we can’t get water from the Tennessee River. Saporta Report. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
External links
