Georgia ForestWatch

October: Haints on Black Mountain, Ann Hite (F), Mercer University Press

November: Literary Field Guide to Southern Appalachia, Edited by Rose McLarney, Laura-Gray Street, and L. L. Gaddy (NF), UGA Press

December: The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare, Kimberly Brock (F), Harper Muse

“You don’t beat it. You don’t beat this river.”
Because they're buildin' a dam across the Cahulawassee River; they're gonna flood a whole valley, Bobby, that's why. Dammit, they're drownin' a river; they're drownin' a river, man. Lewis Medlock as played by Burt Reynolds
GAFW’s next book club selection is Deliverance by James Dickey (register here). The (in)famous novel (and one of the first movies to be filmed in Georgia) tells the story of four men and their pursuit of an adventure in the wilderness gone wrong. The book and movie are set on the fictional Cahulawassee River in Georgia, but many do not realize Dickey wrote the story based on an experience he had on Georgia’s real life Coosawattee River and what is now Carters Lake, one of the deepest lakes (450+ft) and the tallest earthen dam in the U.S. east of the Mississippi.
Many of us do know that the 1972 movie was filmed on our states only wild and scenic river - the Chattooga. The headwaters of the Chattooga River are located southwest of Cashiers, NC and stretches 57 miles to its confluence with the Tallulah River within the impounded Lake Tugalo (Free the Tugalo) before continuing downstream as the Savannah River.
Rafting Section IV of the Chattooga River, the final section before the lake, is a must do and now you can join GAFW in crossing this wild trip off your bucket list. Join GAFW staff, along with the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), on an all-guided all-day Section IV rafting trip down the most challenging section of whitewater in the Southeast. GAFW provides all the logistical support and NOC provides all the gear and the professional raft guides needed to have a safe but adventurous day on the most iconic river rafting trip in our region. All you need to do is register and meet us at the outpost just outside Clayton, GA.
Please join GAFW on this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Registration Deadline: Friday September 22, 2023
Trip Date: Friday September 29, 2023
Age: 12 and older
Dogs: Not this time
Ability: Able to walk up to half mile and to paddle. Reach out to us if you have any questions and we will do our best to talk you into it. In addition to the professional raft guides GAFW staff will also be there to assist. You should go for it.
Lunch: Included
Time: From outpost-to-outpost morning through late afternoon. Final times will be provided prior to the trip. Plan on being at the outpost that morning and you will be tired but also back at your car in time to get home that evening.
Shoes: Closed toed shoes or river sandals are mandatory. No flip flops. Our recommendation is to wear wool socks and your old tennis shoes. Your feet will be in water all day.
Clothing: You will get wet and stay wet all day. Wear long layers to keep you warm and protected from the sun and cold. Outer splash gear or wetsuits available by NOC if needed.
Gear: Bring a hat and a water bottle. All the rest will be provided.
Weather: Rain or shine however since the Chattooga is a natural free flowing river changes to the put in/take out or the trip may be cancelled depending on the flow. See river level here.
Cost: $140 payable to GAFW but GAFW is also asking for additional support for GAFW staff to participate. Gratuities for the NOC guide (Not GAFW) are expected. $10-$20 per participant cash for the rafting guide is recommended for a fun and safe full day trip. Many who experience a once in a lifetime adventure give more but the amount is up to you. We will NOT be offering refunds for this event.
Waivers: You will need to fill out both the GAFW waiver and the NOC waiver. You may complete this GAFW waiver before your arrival and bring it or you can complete it onsite. Each person (adult and minor) needs their own waiver.
Questions: outreach@gafw.org
Register: Use this form: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/ChattoogaRiver

You must also register for the GAFW Project Chimps Private Group tour here. Tickets are $32.50 each.

Project Chimps is the newest chimpanzee sanctuary in the United States and was founded to provide lifetime exemplary care to 200 former research chimpanzees at its sanctuary on 230+ acres of forested land in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia.

Our tour supports the 95 chimpanzees who currently call Project Chimps home and the less than 100 still in the lab waiting for their turn to retire to the mountains of north Georgia.

The sanctuary includes a forested, six-acre habitat where former research chimpanzees can forage, climb, and play without caging overhead.

The tour is 60-90 minutes of walking around the Peachtree Habitat. Guests will observe the chimpanzees through viewing windows as they roam the hills, trees, and climbing structures. The chimps have the freedom to run, play, visit with friends, find a quiet corner to relax, bask in the sun, or curl up in the shade.

Our group will spend additional time and be able to participate in feeding the chimps. We will be taken to the top of our Chateau villa home three stories high, and using a giant slingshot, we will lob soft food items into the habitat for the chimps to gather and eat. We will get a view of the habitat and the chimps like no other while helping feed the chimps their lunch.

There is no guarantee that guests will see a chimpanzee; it is their choice to be seen to look at you too!

We plan to hold our tour in most weather conditions. However, if there is a weather advisory affecting travel, we will recommend a reschedule. Additionally, extremely cold, extremely hot, or heavy rainstorms will impact your likelihood of seeing the chimpanzees, and we will discuss rescheduling options if these conditions are predicted. Light rain or snow does not impact their activities.

Please be prepared for an outdoor moderate hike. Closed-toed, sturdy walking shoes are strongly encouraged. Umbrellas or rain gear are recommended in light rains.

Please bring your refillable water bottles.

They have a small gift shop for guests to consider purchasing souvenirs after the tour.

The physical address is 2031 Lowery Road, Morganton, GA 30560. They are located east of Blue Ridge off Hwy 76/515. If using GPS be aware that Google Maps is a bit screwy in this area and may take you on some back roads that only an off-road vehicle should be on. Using the MAPS program on iPhones or the WAYS program is much better.

Please fill out a waiver before your arrival. While you can complete them onsite, it will save us time if you can come with waivers complete. Each adult needs their own waiver, and each minor needs their own waiver unless accompanied by a legal guardian. Please make sure to fill out all the information that the waiver is asking for

Learn more about Project Chimps at their website. (Do not purchase your tickets online at Project Chimps. See the link above for GAFW Private Tour tickets)

The USFS Chattahoochee National Forest Foothills Landscape Project (FLP) Annual Stakeholder Meeting. Scheduled for Thursday October 5, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Lumpkin County Community Center in Dahlonega and remotely on Teams (the link for the event will be posted to the FLP website immediately prior to the meeting). The USFS will propose plans for the upcoming year and learn what activities stakeholders want to see accomplished in 2025 and beyond. Cannot make it? Let GAFW know your thoughts regarding FLP at report@gafw.org.

Registration for this Outing is member only at this time. Please only register if you are an up to date GAFW member. If you have any questions regarding the status of your membership, please contact us at info@gafw.org or 706 867 0051. If you are not a member you can register for this Outing after you join GAFW or your membership is renewed. If this Outing does not fill up we may open registration to non-members.

Most of our national forests in Georgia have been heavily logged in the past. But there are a few pockets of old-growth remaining. Here's your chance to see some really big trees! We'll be walking a little over a mile to see a giant poplar and then step off the trail to visit some other giants further up the slope. Along the way, Cliff (retired forester and big-tree hunter)Along the way, Cliff (retired forester and big-tree hunter) will explain how the Cooper Creek Scenic Area, which was established by the Forest Service in 1960, is the “cradle of forest preservation” on the Chattahoochee National Forest. Long before Georgia ForestWatch was formed, before most of the environmental laws that protect our national forests were passed by Congress, and timber “ruled the roost” on this forest, Dr. Charlie Wharton, a professor at Georgia State University, lobbied and eventually succeeded in convincing a skeptical Forest Service that (as Dr. Wharton put it) “the use and enjoyment of this primeval spot would bring lasting benefit to more Georgians than the sporadic timber yield.” will share the history of the area and Charlie Wharton's efforts to preserve it. We'll be stopping often for botanizing, birding, and tree ID.

Outing Leader: Cliff Shaw

Meet at: Two Mile Gap trailhead

Directions: Coming north from Suches or south from Blueridge on Hwy 60, turn onto Cavendar Gap Road, going east for approximately three miles. Look for the old gated forest service road on left. There is no sign marking the trailhead. There are plenty of places to park along the dirt road.

Easy to Moderate hike. Most of the trail is level and easy walking. However, there are a few places we will need to scramble over/under deadfalls. We'll also be off the trail at one point and climbing a slope.

Sturdy footwear, lunch, plenty of water, and any meds you may require. If you are a birder, bring binoculars.

No pets, please.
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/wP62KjWGdwaaceHj8

Photo credit: Keith Vickers

Our Annual Retreat last year sold out almost immediately, so to accommodate the growing success of GAFW over the past few years, we have moved our event to the large group shelter at Red Top Mountain State Park. This location will allow us to accommodate up to 250 attendees and is also a convenient day trip from the metro area. Sponsorships of the event are also still available.
Highlights of this year’s Annual Retreat include:

• Award-winning author, Naturalist, and Environmental Activist Janisse Ray is our Keynote Speaker.
• Presentations by Keith Ray, Southeastern Trust for Parks & Land, April Lipscomb, SELC, & J.D. McCrary, GAFW
• Activities including Plants of the Cherokee Walk, Mark Warren, Medicine Bow, What’s in the soil? Interactive table, Mac A. Callaham, Jr., PhD, USFS, Invasive Species Carrie Allen, UNG Professor, Mindful Slow Flow Yoga, Sara Diaz, GAFW Outreach Coordinator, & More (Activity offerings may change)
• 2023 event unique T-Shirts
• Food catered by Hungry Hippo Eats
• Raffles, Door Prizes, and Silent Auction items

Need a place to stay? Each ticket also allows complimentary tent camping with fellow attendees at the Red Top Mountain State Park Pioneer group campground on Friday night, 10/13, and Saturday night, 10/14. No hookups or trailers allowed. Tent only. Come and go as you please. There are also a few cabins and private full hookup campsites at Red Top Mountain State Park available for both nights. If you want camping, a cabin, or a full hookup site, please reserve your space here.
Purchase your tickets today and we look forward to seeing you.

Come to the Second Wurst Festival you have ever attended!

Enjoy a day of friends, beer, and German-style sausages.

Fantastic artisan sausages from some of the best Sausage makers around

All proceeds from the ticket sales go to support Georgia ForestWatch. Come hang out with the GAFW gang.

Discounted Presale Ticket Price of $20 gets you:

* A special Wurst Festival glass.

* Free first beer. Cash sales after.

* One fantastic sausage. Additional sausages for sale after.

* Dogs and kids welcome. *This is a rain-or-shine event. No refunds on tickets.

Tickets will be available at the door for $25

This is a ticketed event. RSVP on Meetup, but you must also use the link to purchase a ticket.

October Reading Selection: Haints on Black Mountain, Ann Hite (F), Mercer University Press

We meet monthly on the last Thursday of the month.

• Books of all genres
• Selections are related to the forest, the SE region, and/or written by regional authors

email: bookclub@gafw.org for more info

Coming Up:

November: Literary Field Guide to Southern Appalachia, Edited by Rose McLarney, Laura-Gray Street, and L. L. Gaddy (NF), UGA Press

December: The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare, Kimberly Brock (F), Harper Muse

(There is no cost for this outing, but donations to support the work of LLLT are welcome & most appreciated. Go to www.lulalake.org if you wish to donate.)

Rain Date: October 30.

Making it possible: Roadside Geology of Georgia

The hike leader is co-author of Roadside Geology of Georgia. No prior knowledge of geology is assumed. Raven Cliffs is a sheer rock face, more than 100 feet high. As you gaze up from the trail that has followed the gorge of Dodd Creek, that creek seems to emerge from nowhere. After a short steep scramble, the secret is revealed: a two-part waterfall inside a crack less than 20 feet wide. Rock faces along the trail introduce you to the metamorphic rock, gneiss, which dominates this southern edge of the Blue Ridge. You will see evidence that it flowed like warm taffy, deeply buried as continents collided, 350 million years ago. Planes of weakness in the uplifted and eroding rock, called joints, account for the rock and water magic at the destination.

Distance and difficulty: This is a moderate hike at a leisurely pace, allowing 4 hours on the trail and an hour at the falls. The hike is 5.2 miles round trip with about 750 of elevation gain (9% average grade), including a brief scramble up a slope with about 20' gain.

What to bring and wear: Bring lunch, snacks, plenty of water, rain gear, hiking poles, and $5 per car for parking. Don’t forget to bring your EpiPen or other rescue meds if you have them. (See American Hiking Society’s list of The Ten Essentials of Hiking.)

Are pets allowed? No pets this time.

Parking: $5 per car

Where to meet:

Raven Cliffs Trailhead

3000 Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy, Helen, GA 30545

The Raven Cliffs trailhead parking lot is 0.1 mile from a well-marked turnoff from GA 348, Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway.

Google Maps: Raven Cliffs Trailhead

Directions to meeting place:

From Cleveland, head north 3.3 miles on US-129. Turn right onto GA-75 Alt and continue 2.7 miles. Turn left on GA-348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway) and continue 2.7 miles to the sign for the trailhead (Raven Cliffs is 1.2 miles past Dukes Creek Falls Trail also on the left). Parking is on the left.

From Blairsville, head south on US-19 for roughly 7 miles. Turn left onto GA-180 and continue .9 miles before turning right onto GA-348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway). Stay on GA-348 East for 11.3 miles where you turn right at the sign for the trailhead. Parking is on the left.

Cancellation: Check the weather.com hourly forecast for Helen, GA after 7 PM on the Nov. 14. A 60% or greater chance of heavy rain or thunderstorms for Nov. 15 between the hours of 9 and 3 will cancel the outing. If the Outing is canceled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will notify you via Meetup by 6:00 pm the evening before the Outing.