Hightower Bald

{{Short description|Mountain in Georgia, United States}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Hightower Bald

| other_name =

| photo = Hightower Bald 1.JPG

| photo_caption = Hightower Bald

| elevation_ft = 4,568

| elevation_ref = [http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=18660 Hightower Bald]. peakbagger.com. Retrieved 20 September 2015.

| prominence_ft = 848

| prominence_ref =

| map = USA Georgia

| map_width = 200

| map_caption =

| label_position = bottom

| listing =

| location = Towns County Georgia, United States

| range = Blue Ridge Mountains

| coordinates = {{coord|34.984722|N|83.620278|W|type:mountain_region:US-GA_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| range_coordinates =

| coordinates_ref =

| topo = USGS Hightower Bald

| age =

| first_ascent =

| easiest_route = Hike

}}

Hightower Bald, with an elevation of {{convert|4568|ft|m}} is the fourth-highest peak in the US state of Georgia. It is located in Towns County, Georgia at the North Carolina state line and is within the boundaries of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest.

==Geography==

File:30 Mile Post Montgomery's Corner Hightower Bald.jpg

Hightower Bald is located on an east-west trending ridge inside the Southern Nantahala Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Towns County, Georgia. The mountain is located about {{convert|8|mi|km}} east of Hiawassee and {{convert|4|mi|km}} west of Tate City. Nearby geographical features include Rich Knob, Shooting Creek Bald, Loggy Branch Cove and Bly Gap.Wharton, Charles. [https://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/B-114.pdf The Natural Environments of Georgia]. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 1978. Retrieved 11 May 2016. There are cliffs on the south face of the mountain.[https://sherpaguides.com/georgia/mountains/blue_ridge/eastern/hightower_area_southern_nantahala_wilderness.html The Hightower Area of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness]. sherpaguides.com. Retrieved 10 May 2016.

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 {{convert|2000|ft|m}} instead of its usual east-west direction. These border features were the results of two surveying expeditions conducted in the early 19th century. When Tennessee became a state in 1796, Congress designated Georgia's northern boundaries as the 35th parallel north.Bluestein, Greg. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/09/AR2008020902283.html Drought Has Georgia Revisiting Border Dispute]. AP. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2016. 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 {{convert|110|mi|km}} east, stopping about {{convert|700|ft|m}} north of Hightower Bald's summit.{{cite topoquest|quad=Hightower Bald, GA|url=https://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=34.98762&lon=-83.61970&datum=nad27&zoom=4&map=auto&coord=d&mode=zoomin&size=msize=xl|accessdate=10 May 2016}}

In 1819, Camak conducted another survey of Georgia's northern border, this time starting from Ellicott's Rock and surveying westward. After marking for {{convert|30|mi|km}}, Camak's group reached Hightower Bald's northern slopes. When they got there, they noticed that they were {{convert|661|yd|m}} north of the previous year's mark.Smith, Gary Alden. State and National Boundaries of the United States. 2011. {{ISBN|0786461187}}. pp.69. Instead of redoing the survey, Camak decided to connect the eastward and westward lines.Morton, William J. [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/boundaries-georgia Boundaries of Georgia]. New Georgia Encyclopedia. 03 September 2014. Web. 10 May 2016. The southern mark was named Montgomery's Corner, after a surveyor who accompanied Camak in his two surveying trips. 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.Morton William. [http://saportareport.com/georgia-got-northern-boundary-cant-get-water-tennessee-river/ 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.