 Tennessee
- Starr Mountain
 Location
Starr Mountain is located on the north bank of the Hiawassee River
in the Gee
Creek Wilderness Area 50 minutes northeast of Chattanooga. It
sits on the western border of the Cherokee
National Forest.
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 Description
While not a major destination, Starr Mountain holds some nice
rock in a great setting. Typical of other Tennessee climbing areas,
a river has cut a canyon exposing cliffs high on it's north side.
The rock is characteristic good quality sandstone similar to that
found in nearby locations, though it is unique here in that there
are two bands of stone. The lower band of rock is most similar to
the type of rock found at Sunset Rock.
It's gray, more slabby and slopey, requiring more of a friction
climbing approach. It's also more mossy and overgrown. The best
routes are found on the upper tier. The rock here is most like that
found at the Tennessee Wall, orange
rock with sharp corners, cracks, and aretes, and roofs.
See large view of Travis
on lower tier
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Directions
I-75 North from Chattanooga towards Cleveland. Exit
64 East. Follow to 411 North through Benton. Look for turn right
into Gee Creek about half a mile after crossing the Hiawassee River.
Look for a pulloff on the left near a culvert 2+ miles along the
river.
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 Cliff
Access
Park is the small pull off area near the large culvert along the
railroad grade. Cross the tracks, look for the trail leading up
the embankment. The trail leading up to the cliffs is very steep,
there are many branches. It brings you in at the left end of the
cliffs. As you work your way across the cliff line, you will note
a gully where you can scramble up to the second tier. You can find
ways to continue scrambling to the top.
Show larger view of cliffs
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  Guidebooks
The Dixie Cragger's Atlas by Chris Watford. 1999.
Published by Market Place Press, 425 Market Place, Roswell, GA.
30075.
The Deep South Climbers Companion
by Rob Robinson and Chris Watford is currently out of print, unavailable.
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Routes
The guidebooks index about 25 routes here. I can recommend Excaliber
5.10 c/d**, on the upper tier.
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 Land
Manager:
Gee
Creek Wilderness Area
Cherokee
National Forest
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 Emergency
Information:
Polk County Sheriff 423 - 338 - 4540
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 Gear:
Standard Rock, top roping gear.
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Facilities:
Wilderness area, no facilities. Campground nearby as well as numerous
primitive campsites along the river. The town of Benton is just
a few miles drive for sundries.
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Seasons:
South facing cliffs. Hot in the summer, but you can cool off with
a dip in the river. Good on sunny winter days.
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Access Notes
This is a wilderness area. There are no fixed anchors. Please practice
Leave No Trace principles when visiting.
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Miscellaneous
There is nice hiking in the Gee Creek area. The Hiawassee River
is good for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The Ocoee river is
a short hop over the mountain to the next valley.
Starr Mountain was once home to the three story White Cliffs Motel.
It was demolished in the 60's. There is rumored to be a hot spring
not far away. (thanks to Rebelhallgirl@aol.com
for info and photo).
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Links
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Starr Mountain Trip Reports
10/24/98 - Starr
Mountain October 24 - Submitted by Wayne Busch - Wayne,
Jim, and Travis pay a visit
7/4/98 - Fourth
of July, 1998 A first visit to Starr Mountain - Group of 11
spend a day at Starr Mountain
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