| Mountain Wilderness Description At 4,430 feet, Tray Mountain dominates the southern portion of this rugged Wilderness, which straddles the crest of the Blue Ridge. From up high, fast-flowing streams tumble down narrow gorges and over many waterfalls. Second-growth hardwoods at least 60 years old are the primary forest cover. Deer, squirrels, grouse, and wild turkeys make common appearances, along with the ever-elusive black bear, raccoons, doves, quail, and woodcocks. About 41 miles of trout streams produce rainbows and browns. You'll see remnants of past logging operations, mostly abandoned roads. Just across State Highway 75 lies Mark Trail Wilderness. The Appalachian Trail (AT) follows the crest of the Blue Ridge for 16.5 unusually level miles from Unicoi Gap to Dick's Creek Gap, with a shelter at Tray Mountain. The High Shoals Trail leads about 1.5 miles to the High Shoals Scenic Area, where a waterfall drops over dramatic cliffs. Hunters and anglers come often to this area, but the AT attracts the most visitors. Contact - Chattooga River Ranger District - Phone: 706-754-6221 Address: 200 Hwy 197 N, Clarkesville, GA 30523 |
||
| Area Management The Tray Mountain Wilderness is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, set up by the Wilderness Act of 1964 to keep these lands wild. Please use Leave No Trace practices when you visit. |
||
| General Wilderness Prohibitions As in all designated wilderness, motor vehicles, motorized equipment and mechanical transport (including bicycles, carts and wagons) are generally not allowed, and aircraft may not land. Contact the ranger district listed on this page about any exceptions. |
||
|
||
The following wilderness regulations are in effect for this area. Not all regulations are in effect for every wilderness. Contact the Forest Service office for more specific information about the regulations listed.
 Dogs Restricted - Leased-Under Control Pets must be on a leash at all times.
Stock use restriction - No Hitching or Tethering Hitching, tethering or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal closer than 50 feet from a stream or body of water is prohibited, possessing or using a saddle, pack or draft animal on developed trails which has been closed to use by horses and so posted as prohibited. |
||
| The priority for the Forest Service during the 1960's and 1970's was to restore badly eroded lands on the Oconee and restore forest health. During the 1960's construction efforts were undertaken to provide developed recreation areas within 50 miles of every major town. Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center atop Georgia's highest mountain and Warwomen Dell are examples of areas built as a result of this effort. | ||
| The next four decades saw increased environmental legislation that governs management of the national forests to protect environmental quality and insure public involvement in the process. Wilderness areas were preserved, Wild and Scenic Rivers designated, and experts in natural resource management were employed to help meet the challenges. While the way we do things have changed many times over the years, our tradition of stewardship--caring for the land and serving people, is the same. | ||
|
||
