Whiteside Mountain
Latitude: 35°05.123’N
Longitude: 083°07.933’W
Elevation: 1,503m
Land Owned by:
US Forest Service
Nantahala Ranger District
828-524-6441
Location:
Jackson County, NC
Turn off of US Highway 64 (large US Forest Service signs will be
present) onto Wildcat Ridge Road until sign for Whiteside Mountain
parking is seen. A self paid 2 dollar fee is requested unless a pass is
available.
Trails:
The Whiteside Mountain trail is a 2 mile loop that can be taken in both
directions to reach the top. The trail to the left is a gentle slope up along
the backside of the mountain until reaching the top, while the path to the
right is much shorter it is a steep stair way to the top and much more
strenuous.
Description:
Whiteside Mountain has the
highest cliffs in Eastern North
America formed by granitic gneiss.
The southern facing slopes have
the exposed granite due to their
steepness, wind, and drier
conditions that prevents forest
growth. The cliffs of Whiteside are
also home to peregrine falcons.
Northern
Southern
Picture from the Air
Panthertown Valley
6,295 acres
Land Owned by:
US Forest Service
Nantahala Ranger District
828-524-6441
Location:
There are several entrances to Panthertown Valley, but the
easiest route is two miles east of Cashiers on US 64. Turn
north onto Cedar Creek Road (SR 1120). Turn northeast on
Nicholson Lane (SR 1121). Continue 3.4 miles on SR 1121 to
a flat parking area at a gap where the National Forest
boundary begins.
Trails:
There are many trails within the 6,295 acres of land within
Panthertown Valley along with many waterfalls.
Lots of Trails
This is the route that the class took. Approximately 6 miles to reach
Salt Rock, Granny Burl, and Little Green Mountain.
Salt Rock
Latitude: 35°09.974’N
Longitude: 083°02.165’W
Elevation: 1,223m
Land Owned by:
US Forest Service
Nantahala Ranger District
828-524-6441
Location:
Part of Panthertown Valley: Jackson County, NC. First outcrop along the
trail.
Description:
This is the first rock outcrop that occurs along the trail. It is a small
outcrop situated along the path and therefore is fairly disturbed by both
human traffic and large amounts of runoff from the path.
Granny Burrell Outcrop
Latitude: 35°09.777’N
Longitude: 083°01.752’W
Elevation: 1,134m
Land Owned by:
US Forest Service
Nantahala Ranger District
828-524-6441
Location:
Part of Panthertown Valley: Jackson County, NC.
Above Granny Burl falls on the right side bank.
Description:
This small rock outcrop is hidden above Granny Burl falls hidden by the
bushes. For this reason it is in good condition.
Little Green Mountain
Latitude: 35°09.670’N
Longitude: 083°00.852’W
Elevation: 1,228m
Land Owned by:
US Forest Service
Nantahala Ranger District
828-524-6441
Location:
Part of Panthertown Valley: Jackson County, NC.
Above Granny Burl falls on the right side bank.
Description:
A large part of this mountain’s sides are covered with rock outcrops.
There are varying degrees of maintenance among the outcrops from poor
to good health.
Picture from the top of Little Green Mountain
Table Rock Mountain
Latitude: 35°03.136’N
Longitude: 082°42.041’W
Elevation: 894m
Land Owned by:
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
(803) 734-1700 or (866) 224-9339
Location:
Pickens County, SC
Located off of Highway 11
Admission fee $2 age 16+; $1.25 SC Seniors; age 15 and younger free
Trails:
There are many trails, but the one to get to the top of Table Rock
mountain is a very strenuous “all” uphill climb for several miles. Bring
water and a Sherpa.
Description:
One of the tallest mountains located fully inside of South Carolina, Table
Rock State Park also includes the tallest: Pinnacle Mtn. The park
contains campsites and a lake for swimming.
Very strenuous hike uphill
almost the entire way to
the top.
Picture taken from the reservoir of the ‘backside of Table Rock Mountain.
Stone Mountain
Latitude: 35°03.136’N
Longitude: 082°42.041’W
Elevation: 507m
Land Owned by:
Stone Mountain Park
770.498.5690 or 800.401.2407
Location:
Stone Mountain, GA
Located off of Highway 78
Admission fee of $8 for vehicles with less than 15 passengers.
Trails:
There are many trails around stone mountain park, but only one goes to
the top which is an all uphill, yet relatively short hike. There is also a
gondola ride to the top: round Trip: $9.00 Adult & $7.00 Child; One-Way:
$5.50
Description:
Stone mountain is the second largest monadnock in the world. It also has
the largest bas-relief in the world consisting of: Stonewall Jackson,
Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis. There are many other attractions:
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/
The trail is all uphill, but relatively short: around 1mile.
Largest bas-relief in the world.
Stone Mountain also hosts laser light
shows during the summer.
Sunset Rock
Latitude: 35°02.892’N
Longitude: 083°11.192’W
Elevation: 1,254m
Land Owned by:
Highlands-Casheirs Land Trust
828-526-1111
Location:
Highlands, NC
Located off of Horse Cove Road near the nature center.
Trails:
There is an easy trail up to the top of Sunset Rock, yet it can also be
driven if you are lazy enough.
Description:
Sunset Rock is a very popular place in Highlands and due to that factor it
is very highly disturbed. But there is an unkown secret place that only a
select few know of.
Satulah Mountain
Latitude: 35°02.167’N
Longitude: 083°11.542’W
Elevation: 1,372m
Land Owned by:
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust
828-526-1111
Location:
Highlands, NC
From Highway 28, go up Satulah onto Warley Road and at the end there
is a parking area.
Trails:
The trails are easy and there is one main with several short branching
paths.
Description:
Satulah mountain is less traveled than Sunset Rock and therefore in
better condition.
Big Rock Mountain (side outcrop)
Latitude: 34°57.261’N
Longitude: 082°47.577’W
Elevation: 415m
Land Owned by:
Crescent Resources (soon to be The Nature Conservancy… hopefully)
Kristen Austin (southern blue ridge project director): 864-233-4988
Location:
Pickens County, SC
Located north of the intersection of Nine Times Road and E Preston
McDaniel Road.
Trails:
The Trail to the side outcrop is currently one underneath major overhead
transmission lines that contains many blackberry bushes that can be
difficult to get through.
Description:
Very well maintained outcrop only known to a few. It currently is on Duke
Power’s land, but hopefully will be bought by The Nature Conservancy
later this year.
Big Rock Mountain side
outcrop can be reached by
hiking through thick blackberry
bushes underneath power
lines.
Cedar Mountain
Latitude: 34°57.261’N
Longitude: 082°47.577’W
Elevation: 440m
Land Owned by:
The Nature Conservancy
Kristen Austin (southern blue ridge project director): 864-233-4988
Location:
Pickens County, SC
Located south of the intersection of Nine Times Road and E Preston
McDaniel Road.
Trails:
The Trail to the outcrop is short yet steep that will take about 30minutes
to reach the top
Description:
Very well maintained outcrop just recently bought by The Nature
Conservancy. It has a large variety of plants not seen at outcrops near
highlands such as yucca and prickly pear.
Sagee Mountain
Latitude: 35°02.899’N
Longitude: 083°09.605’W
Elevation: 1,019m
Land Owned by:
US Forest Service
Nantahala Ranger District
828-524-6441
Carolyn McCall: 878-526-3653 or 878-526-3308
Location:
Highlands, NC
Take Horse Cove Road out of Highlands until you reach 3986 Horse
Cove Road the drive should be on the left.
Trails:
The trail is easy and with the capability to drive it makes it even shorter.
Description:
The land of Sagee Mountain is owned by the US Forest Service, but is
surrounded by private property. To legally get to the trail leading up to the
outcrop one must call the landowner (Carolyn McCall). This site is very
well maintained.
Other fun things to see
on Sagee.
Scaly Mountain
Latitude: 35°02.165’N
Longitude: 083°17.077’W
Elevation: 3,726m
Land Owned by:
US Forest Service
Nantahala Ranger District
828-524-6441
Location:
Highlands, NC
Take Highway 106 then turn onto Turtle Pond Road, and then onto
Hickory Nut Road.
Trails:
The trail is easy approximately 2.5 miles round trip.
Description:
Very small amount of rock outcrops on this mountain.
Whiteside Mountain:
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/whiteside.pdf
http://www.highlandhiker.com/Whiteside_Mountain.html
Panthertown Valley:
http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/panther1.htm
http://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/nantahala/nantahala/panthertown.html
Table Rock Mountain:
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/350.aspx
Stone Mountain:
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust:
http://www.hicashlt.org/
The Nature Conservancy:
http://www.nature.org/