Southern Nantahala Wilderness
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The Southern Nantahala Wilderness was designated in 1984 and currently consists of 23,473 acres. Approximately 11,770 acres are located in Georgia in the Chattahoochee National Forest and approximately 11,703 acres are located in North Carolina in the Nantahala National Forest. The Wilderness is managed by the United States Forest Service and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The highest elevation in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness is the 5,499 foot peak of Standing Indian Mountain in North Carolina and the lowest elevation is approximately 2,400 feet. The Appalachian Trail passes through the Wilderness in both states.
In Georgia, the Wilderness is divided into two sections by a corridor on either side of the Tallulah River. The western part of the Wilderness in Georgia includes the portion of the Appalachian Trail that begins at Blue Ridge Gap and climbs over Rocky Knob in Towns County before passing over the eastern flank of Rich Knob in Rabun County and entering North Carolina at Bly Gap. The eastern part of the Wilderness in Georgia includes an area on the Coleman River.
In connection with its management of the Wilderness, the Forest Service actively promotes adherence to the Leave No Trace principles. The seven Leave No Trace principles are:
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
