Chunky Gal Mountain Area
The 22-mile Chunky Gal Trail offers abundant opportunities for extended backpacking
expeditions. The moderate-to-strenuous trail can be combined with others
in the adjoining Fires Creek area, as well as portions of the Appalachian
Trail. Many of these trails are not well maintained, however, and there
are no developed facilities. The Chunky Gal trailhead is accessed off
US 64. At a gravel road (unmarked FR 71) .3 mile west of the Macon/Clay
county line, turn left and travel for 6.8 miles to the junction with the
Appalachian Trail in Deep Gap. The trailhead begins at the parking and
picnic area.
Chunky Gal forms a roughly 8-mile ridge that runs between the Appalachian
Trail and US 64 (at Glade Gap, in the Fires Creek area). The geology
of this little-known area helps explain its considerable botanical significance.
Outcrops of amphibolite account in part for the relatively high pH of
the area's soils, which allows them to support rich cove forests. In
those cove and upland forests, many rare plant species can be found,
such as the American columbo, yellowwood , Goldie's fern , and glade
fern.
Another geologic feature, the world-class deposit of olivine in the
Buck Creek area, deserves special mention. Dunite, the rock that contains
the olivine, accounts for the presence of rubies, as well as garnets,
sapphires, and other gem stones at Buck Creek. Much of the area is under
lease (hence, off limits), but at Corundum Knob, a public rock-hunting
area, people dig along the creek, as well as higher up the mountain
(commercial activity is prohibited, as is disturbing the creek banks).
The unusual geology supports an equally distinctive plant community
called a serpentine barren, which is home to many rare species. Southern
Appalachian bogs, with their own distinctive species, are also found
on Chunky Gal.
Rare insects include the mountain catch fly , found at the break between
the rich cove and montane oak forests, and several species of butterflies:
the large, distinctive diana fritillary , the silvery blue , and the
early hairstreak.
Beaver activity is evident along Buck Creek, and the new habitat created
by these industrious builders attracts blue-winged teal and wood ducks
. The area also supports a strong wild turkey population, and cerulean
warblers have been spotted here.
History:
Chunky Gal Mountain gained its evocative name
from a Cherokee legend about a chubby maid who fell in love with a
young man from another tribe. Her parents attempted to snuff the budding
romance, but the determined young woman abandoned her family to follow
her heart, finding her way across the mountain's slopes to be with
her beloved.
Directions:
From Hayesville, drive east on
US 64 for about 8 miles; at Chunky Gal Mountain, the road starts to
ascend. There is no formal parking area, but at Glade Gap there are
plenty of places to pull off and park. Rock hounds should turn left
on Barnett Creek Road, and continue 1–2 miles to a parking area.
Activities: Backpacking, hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, rock hunting.
Facilities: None.
Fees: None.
Closest town: Hayesville, approximately 9 miles.
For more information:
Tusquitee
Ranger District,
201 Woodland Drive, Murphy, NC 28906.
Phone (704) 837-5152.
