Wildlife Viewing Guide
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Wildlife Viewing Guide |
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Woody
GapDescription: A picturesque mountain ridge gap where the Appalachian Trail crosses GA Hwy. 60, Woody Gap offers breathtaking scenery and recreational opportunities. From an elevation of 3,000 feet, scenic vistas of Yahoola Valley below make this a worthwhile and easily accessible stop on a leisurely drive through the mountains of North Georgia. The harsh ridge top environment is evidenced by wind-stunted and twisted oak trees along the Trail. An easy 1-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, either north or south, offers scenic vistas and outstanding displays of spring wildflowers. Nearby Chestatee Overlook and Dockery Lake are "must-sees" while in this area.
Viewing Information: Woody Gap has excellent bird-watching opportunities, especially during spring migration. Early morning provides the best opportunity to see and hear numerous breeding songbirds, such as hooded warblers, black and white warblers, black-throated blue warblers, black-throated green warblers, as well as migrants, such as Cape May, blackpoll, and blackburnian warblers on their way to breeding grounds north of Georgia. These and numerous other species can be found on a short walk on the Appalachian Trail. Around the parking area, chestnut-sided warblers and indigo buntings are numerous. Longer walks along the trail may reward wildlife viewers with the drumming or explosive flush of a ruffed grouse. Wild turkeys are residents of this area and the surrounding National Forest, as are black bears and white-tailed deer.
Directions: From Dahlonega, take GA Hwy. 60 north apx. 17 miles. Woody Gap is well marked, with a parking area on the right.
Management: U.S. Forest Service, Gainesville Office, 770-536-0541
Closest Town: Dahlonega, GA
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