| Sawnee Mountain | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,946 ft (593 m) [1] |
| Prominence | approx. 750 feet |
| Location | |
| Location | Forsyth County, Georgia, USA |
| Range | Appalachian Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Cumming |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Drive to Sawnee, Hike to Little Sawnee |
Sawnee Mountain is a low mountain between the piedmont and Appalachian foothills of the U.S. state of Georgia, north of Atlanta. The name Sawnee Mountain actually refers to the entire ridge of approximately five miles (8 km) in length. At its summit, the elevation is 1,946 feet (593 m) above mean sea level, and is roughly 750 feet (230 m) above the surrounding terrain.[2] The Sawnee Mountain range runs southwest to northeast, and consists of five knolls and three gaps (Chamblee, Sawnee, and Bettes).[3] Located only a few miles north of Cumming, Georgia (the county seat), the mountain is easily the highest point in Forsyth county. One of the highest peaks of metro Atlanta, it nudges out its prominently known neighbors Stone Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain by a hundred or so feet each. However, Sawnee is in the far northern exurbs, putting it in third place behind Bear Mountain and Pine Log Mountain to the west.
It is believed that Native Americans may have used a natural clearing atop the mountain called the Indian Seats for ceremonial purposes.[4] As white settlers migrated to the area, now known as Cumming, a local Cherokee named Sawnee helped them adjust to the native land. As a well skilled carpenter and farmer he was known throughout the land, and the range was named in his honor. In 1829 gold was discovered in Georgia in Auraria at the site of Americas first gold rush. There are also mines in the ridges of Sawnee which is downstream the Chattahoochee from the major strike.[5] Current uses of the mountain are as a nature preserve park and a Radio station, WWEV-FM 91.5, which transmits from a radio tower at the top of the mountain. Originally, the station staff actually drove recorded programming to the top where it played from broadcast automation equipment, but it now uses a live studio/transmitter link.[6] The Sawnee Mountain Nature Center is located at 475 Spot Road and is one of the trailheads. The preserve protects 963 acres of the mountain and offers several ammenities.