Appalachian Trail / Hiking
With so many miles of trails, each season you'll discover something new as you hike throughout Blairsville and Union County. The famous Appalachian Trail winds 80 miles through some of the most rugged areas of the Chattahoochee National Forest and is accessible at several points within Union County. Vogel State Park also features 17 miles of hiking trails. Other area trails to explore are:
Arkaquah Trail
Jacks Knob Trail
Bear Hair Trail
Coosa Backcountry Trail
Yellow Mountain Trail
Cooper Creek Trail
Byron Herbert Reece Trail
Freeman Trail
Dockery Lake Trail
Jarrard Gap Trail
Slaughter Creek TrailMiller Trek
Rocky Mountain Trail
Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail
Brasstown Bald Summit Trail
Helton Creek Falls Trail
DeSoto Falls Trail
High Shoals Trail
Hometown Halloween on the Square
Sponsored by the DDA and the Union County Historical Society
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Close to a hundred vendors register to set up around the town square. Many bring fantastic decorations and dress in orginal costumes. That means a whole lot of fun and candy! This old-fashioned community gathering features not only free candy, but costume contests, prizes, children's games, decorations, photo opportunities, and plenty of fun. Many of the nearby restaurants stay open to serve hot chocolate, coffee, and apple cider. |
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in northern Georgia is actually two U.S. National Forests, the Oconee National Forest and Chattahoochee National Forest, linked together. The combined total acreage of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is 865,855 acres, of which the Chattahoochee National Forest comprises 750,502 acres and the Oconee National Forest comprises 115,353 acres. The county with the largest portion of the forest is Rabun County, Georgia, which has 148,684 acres within its boundaries.
History The Chattahoochee National Forest 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 took the name from the Indians living here. The Cherokee and Creek Indians inhabited North Georgia. In one dialect of the Muskogean languages, Chatta means stone; ho chee, marked or flowered. These marked or flowered stones were in the Chattahoochee River at a settlement near Columbus, Georgia. In 1911, the United States Forest Service purchased 31,000 acres of land in Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin and Union Counties from the Gennett family in 1911 for $7.00 per acre. This land was the beginning of what would become the Chattahoochee National Forest. The initial land purchases became a part of the Cherokee National Forest on June 14, 1920.
Ranger Roscoe Nicholson, who was the first forest ranger in Georgia and had advised the Forest Serive in its initial land purchases, continued the growth of the Chattahooche by negotiating the purchase of most of the Forest Service land in what is now the Tallulah Ranger District. The Coleman River Scenic Area near Clayton, Georgia was dedicated to Ranger "Nick", as he was called, in honor of his promotion of conservation ideals.
Ranger Arthur Woody also promoted conservation and was a key figure in the early development of the Chattahoochee. Unwise land and resource use had caused the deer and trout populations to virtually disappear in the North Georgia mountains and Woody brought trout and deer back to the area. The trout were shipped to Gainesville, hauled across the narrow, dirt, mountain roads and eventually released in the streams. Woody also purchased fawns with his own money, and fed them until they could be released on what became the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area. Many landmarks in the Chattoochee bear Ranger Woody's name in tribute to his work. Sosebee Cove, a 175-acre tract of prize hardwood along GA 180 is set aside as a memorial to Woody who negotiated its purchase for the Forest Service.
On July 9, 1936, the Forest Service was reorganized to follow state boundaries and President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed the Chattahoochee a separate National Forest. In 1936, the Chattahoochee was organized into two Ranger Districts, the Blue Ridge and the Tallulah. In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed 96,000 acres of federal lands in middle Georgia as the Oconee National Forest. The Oconee then joined the Chattahoochee to become the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests of today. The Chattooga River was designated a Wild and Scenic River during the 1970s. The Chattoga reamins one of the few free flowing streams in the Southeast and is known for its white water rafting and beautiful scenery. The movie "Deliverance" starring Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight was filmed on the Chattooga River and the Chattooga became the fictional Cahulawassee River in the movie.
The Chattahooche National Forest Today The Chattahoochee National Forest today covers 18 north Georgia counties. The Chattahoochee has six ranger districts and employs several hundred people. It includes over 2,200 miles of rivers and streams (including about1,367 miles of trout streams). There are over 450 miles of hiking trails and 1,600 miles of "roads." In addition to the Chattoga River and the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, natural attractions within it boundaries include the beginning of the 2,174-mile (3,500-km) Appalachian Trail, Georgia's highpoint, Brasstown Bald and Anna Ruby Falls. The Chattahoochee also includes ten wildernesses that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. all of which are managed by the United States Forest Service. The wildernesses are:
Georgia Counties with Land in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
Listed below are the counties with land in the Forest showing the number of acres and the relevant ranger districts.
Chattahoochee National Forest
Oconee National Forest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| OHVs are defined as any motorized vehicle which travels off-road for recreational purposes. OHV's include: motorbikes such as mini bikes, dirt bikes, and motor cross bikes; four-wheel drive vehicles such as jeeps, land rovers, and pickups; all-terrain vehicles such as the popular three and four-wheelers; dune buggies; and snowmobiles. U. S. Forest Service rules, regulations and safety tips. OHVs are popular with individuals and family groups that want a scenic and challenging ride within the National Forest. |
| Beasley Knob OHV Trail System Contact: Blue Ridge Ranger District, 1881 Highway 515, Blairsville, GA 30512 Phone: 706 745-6928 - Fax: 706 745-7494 Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 4:30 |
| Beasley Knob OHV Trail System Trail Description: 10.6 miles length. Trail is suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles, ATV's and motorcycles. This area has a well-developed system of 8 interconnecting trails offering a total of 10.8 miles and a wide variety of riding challenges. Riding is allowed on developed trails only. Most trails are considered difficult due to steep terrain. The trails are most suited to experienced drivers who are skilled in mountain terrain driving. A fee is required to ride on this trail system. NOTICE: The use of bolted or studded tires or tire chains is not allowed on these trails. Many of the trails within this system are classed as difficult to most difficult. This area is recommended for experienced riders only. Open - Close Dates: Closed from the first Monday in January through the middle of March. The actual opening date depends on weather and trail conditions. Directions: There are two parking areas from which to enter the OHV trail system. 1. Beginning on US 76/Highway 515 in front of the Blairsville Post Office, go east for 0.7 mile. Turn right onto Windy Hill Road, a paved road. At 0.7 mile when Windy Hill curves sharply to the left, go straight onto a gravel road. After 0.1 mile, turn left onto a narrow gravel road, Forest Service Road #851. Continue 0.8 mile to the OHV trail system parking lot. 2. Beginning on US 76/Highway 515 in front of the Blairsville Post Office, go east for 3.4 miles. Turn right just before two large propane tanks onto Rosemary Lane, which is also Forest Service Road #93. At the first fork, go left. At the second fork go right. Follow the road to the parking lot at the end, a total of 1.6 miles. U. S. Forest Service Locator Map |
| Davenport OHV Trail System - U. S. Forest Service Trail Map Contact: Blue Ridge Ranger District, 1881 Highway 515, Blairsville, GA 30512 Phone: 706 745-6928 - Fax: 706 745-7494 Office Hours: Mon. - Friday, 8:00 - 4:30 |
| Davenport OHV Trail System Description: 5.9 miles length. This trail is also suitable for ATV's and motorcycles. This trail loops around Davenport Mountain with some moderate grades, and offers views of Nottely Lake. Some areas of this trail are recommended for riders accustomed to riding on flat to rolling terrain, young, or inexperienced riders. However, there are some very difficult areas in this ATV trail as well. Cross country riding is not allowed and riders must stay on the trail. A fee is required to ride on this trail system. NOTICE: Riders must stay on the OHV trail; cross-country riding or riding on the main road are not allowed. This trail has an easy section, which is recommended for young or inexperienced riders. There are also sections marked as more difficult and most difficult. Open and Close Dates: Closed from the first Monday in January through the middle of March. The actual opening date depends on weather and trail conditions. Directions: Beginning at the traffic light at the intersection of U.S. 76/Highway 515 and U.S. 19/129 in Blairsville, go west on U.S. 76/Highway 515 for 7.0 miles. Turn right onto GA 325 and go 2.3 miles to the STOP sign. Turn left, still on GA 325, and go 2.5 miles until you see a Christmas tree farm on the right. Go another 0.3 miles and turn right onto Davenport Mountain Road. At the foot of the hill, turn right onto Forest Service Road #143. Follow the gravel road 1.1 miles to the parking lot on your right. The OHV trail begins at the back end of the parking lot. U. S Forest Service Locator Map |
Georgia REALTOR magazine recently published an article about "Who's Buying and Selling in Georgia." There were some interested statistics about The Home Search Process listed. This information was obtained from the 2008 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.
What are your thoughts? How does this information compare to what you are seeing?
Do you need a real estate agent in the North Georgia Mountain area? Call me today, I would love to work with you! 706-897-0956
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Blairsville's Hometown Halloween on the Square is held every year on Halloween evening, October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals are invited to participate in this fun, family gathering - it's one of the best Halloween events around.
Come early and eat pizza or a great dinner at the Hole in the Wall Restaurant before heading out to fill up your goody bag.
