Dark green is the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia.  Pale green is the Blue Valley Experimental Forest in NC. Green line shows boundary of the Overflow Wilderness Study Area designated by Congress in 1984. Orange boundaries are proposed "Mountain Treasures" areas for protection in both NC and GA. Stippling indicates the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River corridor from Salt Log Knob south along the West Fork.

Location:  Macon County.  "Blue Valley" SW of Highlands, S of NC 106, bordered on S by NC/Ga line and by Blue Valley Experimental Forest on The SE.  The Three Forks  "Georgia Mountain Treasures" Wild Area adjoins in the Chattahoochee National Forest on the S.

Access:  From Highlands, W on NC 106 roughly 6 miles to Osage Mtn. overlook and Bartram Trail crossing.  Can also be approached from the lower SE end via FS road 79.

USGS Topographic Quadrangles:  Highlands, Scaly Mountain, Rabun Bald

Features/Description/Potential:
    This 3200 acre area, once homesteaded by the Web family, with some old growth (near Glen Falls and  Osage Mt.), the watershed of Overflow Creek, which is the west headwaters basin of the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River.  Slopes are steep, ranging in elevation from 4000 to 2500 ft.  There are a number of waterfalls including Glen Falls.  Most growth is 60-80 years old.  The Bartram Trail (FS #67) crosses N/S across the upper portion of the watershed.  (See John Ray's "Bartram Trail" for the Nantahala National Forest.  Obtain copies from Ray at 1190 Old Seneca Rd, Central, SC, 29630.  email: jrrarah@mindspring.com)  There is an old amethyst mine in the E portion of the WSA on the upper reaches of Abes Creek.   There has been a strong constituency for this area in Highlands, a chapter of the WNCA with Bob Zahner and Kevin Fitzpatrick.  They were able to convince NC Rep. Charles Taylor to put on hold his bill in 1991 to release this area (along with  Snowbird Wilderness Study Area) for multiple use.
    The 8500 acre Three Forks Wild Area in GA contains the "Three Forks" area where Big, Holcomb, and Overflow Creeks come together to form the West Fork of the Chattooga River, which is part of the National Wild and Scenic River.  These creeks have some of the best native trout habitat in NE Georgia.  Three Forks Trail gives access to the area.  Warwoman Wildlife Management Area is just W.

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