SOTA Guide - Black Mountain

Drive Guide - Black Mountain (W4G/NG-022)

  • Duration: 1:20
  • Google Maps URL from Atlanta: http://tinyurl.com/woody-gap
  • Seasonal/Limited Access: Paved road all the way. Parking may be full on weekend; best by 8:30 AM.
  • Directions:
    • GA-400/US-19 N and go 47 miles.
    • L on GA-60/US-19 and go 5.1
    • R on GA-9 and go 8.0
    • Straight on GA-60 and go 5.4
    • Park at Woody Gap parking lot. Black Mtn trailhead is 200 yards NW on GA-60 (continuing in direction of drive). Google Maps shows the Black Mountain dirt road incorrectly!
  • Food
    • Last McD: Dahlonega. Side-trip, adds 10 minutes. 35 minutes from trailhead. Useful if GA-53 McD is closed.
    • Penultimate McD: Hwy 53, Dawsonville - 38 miles from I-285. 40 minutes from home and 40 minutes from trailhead.

Trail Guide - Black Mountain

  • Duration: Black Mtn: 1.1 miles, 0:40 up; 0:25 down
  • Navigation
    • From Woody Gap AT parking, walk NW on GA-60 ~200 yds.
    • L onto gated FS Rd. Follow dirt road to summit with fire/antenna tower.
  • Trailhead altitude: 3173’ at Woody Gap; 3128’ at entrance to FS road.
  • Summit altitude: Black Mtn: 3740’
  • GPS tracks/waypoints:
    • Gated FS Rd at 34.67924, -84.00232
    • Black Mtn Summit: 34.6749, -84.0061
    • Woody Gap: 34.67763, -84.00031
    • Maidenhead Grid: EM84hv

Summit Guide - Black Mountain

  • Poison ivy at the hairpin turn in the activation zone.
  • Hang antenna from tree: Yes. Watch out for the poison ivy.
  • Space to guy mast: Yes. Lots of packed gravel in the hairpin turn. Hard to drive a stake.
  • Cell coverage: AT&T=good; Verizon=good; APRS=yes

Plan-B Candidates

  • Gooch Mtn, Sassafras Mtn, Blood Mountain, Levelland Mountain, Big Cedar Mountain