The cache is up an old Forest Service Road ...About two mile from
the AT. Those wanting to extend the adventure ,can hike to
Applalachia Trial on a steep climb up Lord a Mercy Cove to AT at
Tesnatee Gap ....about 1.5 miles(follows Nottely River-Old Logan
Turnpike-comes out at Tenastee Gap on Richard Russell Scenic Hwy).
The cache is a 1/2 mile from the paved road(SR348) and trailhead on
an easily identified old Forest Service Road.(Old Logan Turnpike)
Foot travel ONLY. Very small elevation gain. Easy walking.
Parking for two cars only at trailhead. Beautiful
Hardwoods,Hemlock and White Pine..Some very large Buckeyes. A
particularlly scenic area in Fall and Winter. Trailhead is an old
Forest Service road begining off Scenic Hwy -GA 348 . Between mile
marker 3 and on east side of Road.
The entrance is identified with flourscent tape (placed by others)
and a large earthen berm constructed by Forest Service to stop ATV
and 4 wheelers. Parking is direct pull in between the trees..head
in parking.
Hiking only.. no bikes or dirt bikes . ..During Hunting Season
best to wear something Orange or Red.
Go east about 1/2mile on well defined old road to old stream
ford . Road goes across the stream at this ford and to right. Cache
is to left about 50 paces east..Not necessary to cross the
stream...(You are ,in fact, on the historic Logan Turnpike first
built thru the mountains in 1830s).. Along the way you will cross
two small brooks before you reach the stream ford... At end of the
road (to the left ...50 paces)... Follow the trail thru the
rhodendrum....look for large dead oak tree on the ground... You
should be next to swift runing stream.(Right Fork of the Nottely
River).lots of Rhrodendum.
Hunters always leave their remains... so you will see how we marked
the trail and the cache site with their "leavings".... Hint -Look
for a Large Dead Oak Tree ..down on ground ..from bank of the
stream and laying uphill ....follow this trunk uphill to
stump..green ammo box..in stump... NOTE ..If you cross stream and
go up old Road about 20 yds..to left ,(about 20 yds off the Old
road)... is the remains of an old dry stack stone fireplace....alll
thats left of an old cabin site .....(maybe one of old Turnpike
Keepers residences.....- Union County Historical Society identified
this site as "The Old Noah Place" -Old Man Noah appearently
supplied harness repairs, muleshoes , horseshoeing and other
supplies to teamsters and wagons using this "Lord A Mercy" "section
of the Old Logan Turnpike-only fireplace foundation remains -great
place for a picnic) . If you go uphill from this location you will
quiickly discover why they named it Lord A Mercy Grade.
Have fun. Kid and family friendly. Not far to Vogel State Park
and Brasstown Bald. All the Best- FPGCT
Small note: As required by the USFS for caches
hidden in the Chattahoochee National Forest the cache is
prominantly labeled as a geocache and the label includes the
GC1HNXQ waypoint number and the owner's e-mail address.
Enjoy!