| Alcovy Mountain | |
|---|---|
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Alcovy Mountain
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| Elevation | 1,070 ft (326 m) [1] |
| Prominence | 370 ft (113 m) [2] |
| Location | |
| Range | Appalachian Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Monroe |
Alcovy Mountain is a monadnock in the state of Georgia similar to Kennesaw Mountain in the city of Marietta. It is located in Walton County just four miles south of the city of Monroe with a summit elevation of 1,070 ft (326 m). It is the highest point in Walton or any of the surrounding counties, and the most southeastern mountain of significance of the Appalachians. The local terrain averages roughly 750 feet (230 m) AMSL. Alcovy (pronunciation: al-CO-vee) Mountain rises steeply from the banks of the Alcovy River which springs up farther north, in Gwinnett County.
The name of Alcovy Mountain comes from the river that flows north to south directly west of the mountain. The native Muskogean Indians named the river “Ulcofauchatchie”, meaning “a river among the bog potato”, otherwise known as the pawpaw tree.[3] As different accented tongues of European immigrants settled in this area, "Alcovy" latter became the name. Although this river flows for over 50 miles until its confluence as a tributary of the Ocmulgee River, these lowland "bog potato" swamps only occur for less than a dozen miles around the mountain.[4] Today, like several other low mountains in the area, Alcovy is privately owned and access is prohibited. However, twenty miles West in southeast Atlanta are three other monadnocks that are protected. These mountains have large rock outcrops that have merited their conservation. They are Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, and the world-famous Stone Mountain.
[1] Mountainzone.com - Alcovy Mountain