NOTE: This trip is limited to 15 participants, and preregistration is required. Parking is limited, please carpool if you are able. To register, email Jess Riddle at
Field Trip Leaders: Jim Sullivan, Sam Taylor, and Jess Riddle
Description: Soapstone Mountain outside of Toccoa doesn’t have any soapstone. Instead, the amphibolite that makes up much of the ridge has formed a variety of unusual habitats, including mafic (magnesium rich) forests, rock outcrops, and ephemeral wetlands. We’ll walk a gated road to the top of the ridge then explore off-trail to reach the outcrops and ephemeral wetlands. Along the way, we’ll hope to see little redhead, squareheads, Carolina thistle, Carolina milkvine, colicroot, wild quinine, wafer ash, Georgia hackberry, hairy lipfern, woolly lipfern, fame flower, and likely some species disjunct from the sandhills.
Location & Directions: From Atlanta, take I-85 north to exit 149. Turn left onto GA-15 N/US-441 N and follow it 7.1 miles. Turn right onto GA-51 E and follow 4.2 miles. Turn left onto GA-63 N and follow 4.4 miles then continue on GA-184 N for another 0.9 miles. Turn right to stay on GA-184 N for 4.1 miles. Turn left onto Cannon Road for 0.3 miles. Turn right to stay on Cannon Rd and continue 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Middle Broad River Rd (dirt) and follow it 1.3 miles. Just past a gap, there will be a wide area for parking on the right and a gated road will turn off to left. Please park carefully to allow the maximum number of cars.
Middle Broad River Rd has a rough spot in it that is difficult to navigate in a sedan. If you don’t have a high-clearance vehicle, let us know before the trip and we will get you the last mile.
Meet At: Middle Broad River Rd (34.493698, -83.420779).
Bathroom Facilities: None.
Walking Difficulty: This outing is mostly moderate with some difficult areas. The round trip will be about two miles with much of it on a gravel road that ascends the ridge. Accessing the rock outcrops will be more difficult with some very steep slopes. Both the rock outcrops and ephemeral wetlands will require uneven footing and pushing through vegetation.
Bring: Chiggers can be bad here, so wear long pants sprayed or taped to keep them off. These areas are mostly sunny, so a broad-brimmed hat or other sun protection is valuable. Bring lunch and plenty of water too. You may wish to bring binoculars, hand lens, notebook, and camera as well.