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Fox Mountain Preserve

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NOTICE: To help prevent the spread of the deadly White Nose Syndrome (WNS) affecting bat populations, please read the SCCi Cave Visitation Policy and follow these guidelines before visiting the Fox Mountain preserve:

• Before and after visiting the Preserve, thoroughly clean and decontaminate all clothing, footwear or gear that has been previously used in a cave in Rhode Island, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky (or in a WNS-Affected State prior to 2006), following the procedures outlined in the latest USFWS guidelines (see Attachment 2).
  
• Do not use any clothing, footwear or gear that you cannot adequately decontaminate.
  
• Do not use any clothing, footwear or gear that has been used since January 1, 2006 in any cave in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and/or West Virginia, regardless of decontamination protocols followed.

The Southeastern Cave Conservancy purchased 332 acres on Fox Mountain in Dade County, Georgia in 1997. The property contains some of Georgia's longest and deepest caves, including Cemetery Pit, Rustys Cave, and Hurricane Cave, as well as many smaller caves.

The Fox Mountain property is the SCCI's largest and richest cave and karst preserve. The area has a long history with cavers, and contains several of the finest caves in TAG. Cemetery Pit has long been a favorite of vertical cavers, due to its 153' entrance pit, large rooms, and almost 3 miles of passages. Hurricane Cave is a local favorite as well, with over a mile of passage. Rustys Cave is one of Georgia's finest, and is also one of the deepest caves in the state, in spite of the fact that its 20' entrance pit is the only rope-work required in the cave. Several smaller caves are also known on the property, and new caves will undoubtedly be discovered in the more remote northern section of the preserve.

Currently, the historic entrance to Hurricane Cave (through the pipe) is closed, but the SCCi is actively meeting and working with the DOT and DNR to try to regain access through that entrance. Recent construction and survey activity around the entrance and the ends of the access tunnel are part of that project.

To visit the other preserves on the property, please park at Sue's Market and take the trail underneath the interstate. The fence ladder and trail have been restored, and down trees and other obstructions have been removed from the trail. We would appreciate it if visitors would notify the Fox Mountain Management Committee immediately if any unusual activity or changes are observed at the preserve. You can contact the property managers at fox@scci.org, or you can contact the SCCi officers at info@scci.org. Additional information is provided on the preserve kiosk at the parking area.

This acquisition is one that the SCCI started working on way back in 1991. Coming on the heels of the recent Fricks Cave purchase, it stretched the Conservancy's fund raising ability to the limit. Terms of the purchase were: purchase price of $89,640, with $5,100 down and the balance owner-financed over 5 years at 6% interest. These arrangements left the SCCI with a monthly mortgage payment of over $1,600 per month. The SCCi has paid off this property, in large part because of income from our Sustaining Contribution. Please consider joining us as a sustaining contributor to help us continue paying for such great acquisitions.

Acreage: 332.0 acres (owned) in Dade County, Georgia
Property Managers: Marty Abercrombie (chair), Jerry Wallace, and Dusty Rumley (fox@scci.org)
Access: Open, 12 person limit on group size, do not park on the Interstate. Contact the property managers for instructions.The entrance to Hurricane Cave the state of Georgia owns (through the pipe) is closed due to structural problems with the entrance. The natural Sunbeam entrance is open.