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