Mount Oglethorpe

Mount Oglethorpe is located in eastern Pickens County, near the border with Dawson County. The mountain is located about {{convert|6|mi|km}} east of Jasper, {{convert|13|mi|km}} west of Dawsonville and about {{convert|7|mi|km}} north of Nelson. There are marble quarries south of Mount Oglethorpe. The community of Bent Tree is located on the mountain's western slopes, while Big Canoe is located on the mountain's eastern slopes.[http://www.bent-tree.com/picture/map_11x17_streets_no_numbers.pdf Bent Tree Map]. bent-tree.com. Retrieved 2 June 2016.[http://www.bigcanoe.com/real-estate/interactive-map/ Interactive Map]. bigcanoe.com. Retrieved 2 June 2016. Springer Mountain, the current southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, is located about {{convert|13|mi|km}} northeast of the mountain. Other nearby geographical features include Burnt Mountain, Sharptop Mountain and Sassafras Mountain.{{cite topoquest|quad=Nelson, GA|url=https://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=34.486229&lon=-84.331463&datum=nad27&zoom=8&map=auto&coord=d&mode=zomout&size=m|accessdate=2 June 2016}} While Mount Oglethorpe's summit is not located on any state or federally protected lands, the mountain's northeastern slopes are located inside the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.[http://www.georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/wildlife/maps/wma/region2/Dawson_Forest_WMA/Dawson_Forest_WMA_Wildcat_Creek_Tract_Topo.pdf Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area - Wildcat Creek Tract]. georgiawildlife.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016.

With an elevation of {{convert|3288|ft|m}}, Mount Oglethorpe is the tallest mountain in Pickens County.{{efn|ListsOfJohn.com lists Burnt Mountain as the tallest mountain in Pickens County, with Mount Oglethorpe coming in second.[http://listsofjohn.com/searchres?c=1778 Pickens County GA Peaks List]. listofjohn.com. Retrieved 2 June 2016. The reason for this is that Burnt Mountain's elevation is estimated between {{convert|3280|ft|m}} and {{convert|3320|ft|m}}, based on 40-foot closed contours.{{cite peakbagger |36012|Burnt Mountain, Georgia|2 June 2016}}}} The mountain is also considered to be the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains.{{Sfn|Nash|2003|p=87}}Spencer, Marci (2013). [https://books.google.com/books?id=ID4VBAAAQBAJ Clingmans Dome: Highest Mountain in the Great Smokies]. The History Press. {{ISBN|9781614239079}}.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=13}}

File:Mount Oglethorpe view.JPG

Mount Oglethorpe had been settled by the Cherokees since at least the 1700s. The Cherokees bent trees to mark their trails and shelters on the mountain. White settlers began moving into the area after the Georgia Land Lotteries of the early 1800s.

Mount Oglethorpe was originally named Grassy Knob.Wells, Diane and Don. [http://www.mountainstewards.org/before_bent_tree.pdf The Early Days before Bent Tree]. mountainstewards.org Retrieved 2 June 2016. In 1930, the mountain was renamed to Mount Oglethorpe in honor of James Oglethorpe, the founder of the Georgia Colony.Georgia State Daughters of American Colonists. [http://www.knowpickens.com/photos/oglethorpemonument12.asp Oglethorpe Monument Dedication]. 8 September 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2016.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=12}} That same year, a {{convert|38|ft|m}} tall marble obelisk named the Oglethorpe Monument was erected at the top of the mountain.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=13}}

In 1930, Mount Oglethorpe was designated as the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=13}} Mount Oglethorpe was not the first choice for the trail's southern end, as Benton MacKaye also proposed ending the Appalachian Trail at Mount Mitchell in North Carolina or Cohutta Mountain in northwest Georgia.{{Sfn|Luxenberg|1994|p=3}}

There were several reasons for choosing the Mountain Oglethorpe as the southern terminus. The mountain was considered to be the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=13}} The decision was also influenced by Sam Tate, an influential local businessman and president of the Georgia Marble Company.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=12}}Butler, Mimi. [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/science-medicine/marble Marble]. 1 June 2007. Retrieved 2 June 2016. Tate was planning to build a resort on a nearby mountain and wanted the trail to pass by his resort.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=12}} To convince the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club to choose Mount Oglethorpe, Tate donated money to build trail structures and allowed the trail to pass through his privately owned lands.

In 1937, with the completion of the Appalachian Trail, Mount Oglethorpe officially became the southern terminus of the trail.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=13}} Early thru-hikers of the Appalachian Trail such as Grandma Gatewood, Gene Espy and Earl Shaffer began their journeys at Mount Oglethorpe.{{cite web|title=Espy honored for famed Appalachian Trail hike|url=http://www.macon.com/2011/09/16/1705473/espy-honored-for-the-feat-of-his.html|author=Ed Grisamore|date=16 September 2011|publisher=The Telegraph (Macon)|access-date=2012-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109181114/http://www.macon.com/2011/09/16/1705473/espy-honored-for-the-feat-of-his.html|archive-date=9 November 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite book|last=Emblidge|first=David|title=The Appalachian Trail Reader|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H-EXPYo7s_oC&pg=PA91|year=1996|publisher=Oxford UP|isbn=9780195100907|pages=91–94|chapter=Earl Shaffer}}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1955/08/15/604938/mrs-emma-gatewood |title=MRS. EMMA GATEWOOD |publisher=Vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com |date=1955-08-15 |access-date=2016-06-04}} In 1949, James E. Boyd conducted long-range line-of-sight experiments between the mountain and Georgia Tech to study the effects of weather on microwave propagation.Technical Information Pilot, Issue 9461; Issue 11953. pp. 1770.

Because Mount Oglethorpe was located outside of United States National Forest lands, the mountain was not protected and was opened to development. In the 1950s, land on the mountain was purchased by logging companies and chicken ranchers. The construction of a gravel road on the mountain led to vandalism. With the increased development on Mount Oglethorpe, the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club decided to move the trailhead.{{Sfn|Luxenberg|1994|p=3}} Amicalola Lake and Frosty Mountain were considered for the new southern terminus, but trail leaders deemed those locations as being too accessible.{{Sfn|Mittlefehldt|2013|p=211}} In 1958, trail leaders decided to move the southern terminus to Springer Mountain, about a {{convert|20|mi|km}} hike north from Mount Oglethorpe."Government Continues Appalachian Trail Buys." Associated Press. 27 June 1993.{{Sfn|Luxenberg|1994|p=3}} Springer Mountain was considered to be less dramatic than Mount Oglethorpe, but because of its remoteness, Springer Mountain was also considered to be less susceptible to development.{{Sfn|Luxenberg|1994|p=3}} The only remnant of the Appalachian Trail between Mount Oglethorpe and Springer Mountain is the Appalachian Approach Trail that runs between Amicalola Falls State Park and Springer Mountain.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=11}}

Communication and FAA towers were installed on the mountain's summit in the years after the southern terminus was moved.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=14}} In the 1970s, the Big Canoe community started development on the eastern side of Mount Oglethorpe. Vandalism, harsh weather and lightning strikes caused heavy damage to the Oglethorpe Monument, leading to its relocation to downtown Jasper in 1999.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=14}} Portions of the Appalachian Trail that used to run between Mount Oglethorpe and Springer Mountain were made inaccessible to the public.{{Sfn|Adkins|2012|p=17}} In addition, Mount Oglethorpe's summit was closed to the public.[http://www.summitpost.org/mount-oglethorpe/620888 Mount Oglethorpe]. summitpost.org. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2016.

In 1995, Billie Ann Rice purchased at auction about {{convert|107|acre|ha}} of land around Mount Oglethorpe's summit. In 2014, Billie Ann, and her husband Ken, began fulfilling her vision for the land and created a park on the mountain and designated their property as a public park.[https://www.prweb.com/releases/ken_and_billie_ann_rice_of_waterford_mountain_properties_announces_the_designation_of_eagle_s_rest_as_a_public_park_in_pickens_county_georgia/prweb11721035.htm Ken and Billie Ann Rice of Waterford Mountain Properties Announces the Designation of Eagle’s Rest as a Public Park in Pickens County, Georgia]. prweb.com. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2016. This public park, named Eagle's Rest, contains hiking trails and observation decks. Their daughters Annette Hall and Kathleen Ingram are still on the board for the park, which continues to improve.Tidwell, Wayne. [http://bigcanoenews.com/news/7482-eagle-s-rest-park-atop-mt-oglethorpe-marks-its-second-year Eagle’s Rest Park atop Mt. Oglethorpe marks its second year]. Big Canoe News. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2016.

Before 2014, visitors were unable to access the summit without trespassing.{{Sfn|Montgomery|2014|p=184}} After the summit was opened to the public, Mount Oglethorpe's summit can be reached by driving south from Georgia State Route 136 on Monument Road for about {{convert|5|mi|km}}.[http://www.knowpickens.com/listinginfo.asp?Listing=4939 Eagle's Rest on Mt. Oglethorpe]. knowpickens.com. Retrieved 5 June 2016. The summit can also be accessed from the south through Big Canoe.

Image:Mount Oglethorpe covered in snow (24268287839).jpg|Mount Oglethorpe with a dusting of snow.

Mount Oglethorpe communication towers.jpg|Communication towers on the summit

Image:Oglethorpe Monument, Jasper, Georgia.JPG|The Oglethorpe Monument. Formerly on Mount Oglethorpe's summit, the monument is now located in Jasper

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{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{cite book|first=Leonard|last=Adkins|title=Along the Appalachian Trail: Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIbTOjYttEEC|date=2012|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9780738591032}}
• {{cite book|first=Larry|last=Luxenberg|title=Walking the Appalachian Trail|url=https://archive.org/details/walkingappalachi00luxe|url-access=registration|date=1994|publisher=Stackpole Books|isbn=9780811730952}}
• {{cite book|first=Sarah|last=Mittlefehldt|title=Tangled Roots: The Appalachian Trail and American Environmental Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=avJLAgAAQBAJ|date=15 November 2013|publisher=University of Washington Press|isbn=9780295804880}}
• {{cite book|first=Ben|last=Montgomery|title=Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ddL0AgAAQBAJ|date=1 April 2014|publisher=Chicago Review Press|isbn=9781613747186}}
• {{cite book|first=Steve|last=Nash|title=Blue Ridge 2020: an owner's manual|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yjvqCQAAQBAJ|date=11 July 2003|publisher=Univ of North Carolina Press|isbn=9780807861127}}

{{commons category|Mount Oglethorpe}}

• [http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=34.48632&lon=-84.33188&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=48 TopoQuest Map for Mount Oglethorpe]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20010905083436/http://roadsidegeorgia.com/county/pickens.html Archives of Pickens County, Roadside Georgia]}}
• [http://www.greatcarolinaproperty.com/Outdoor-recreation/Appalachian-hiking-trail-History.htm History of the Appalachian Trail]
• [http://www.mtoglethorpe.org/ Eagle's Rest website]

{{Mountains of Georgia (U.S. State)}}

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Oglethorpe

Category:Landforms of Pickens County, Georgia

Oglethorpe