Cowee Gap (el. 4,199 ft (1,280 m)) is a mountain pass located between Highlands and Cashiers in the far southern part of western North Carolina. It is located on the Eastern Continental Divide, which also forms the boundary between Macon and Jackson counties, and between the Cullasaja River and Chattooga River basins (in turn part of the much larger Tennessee and Savannah basins) to the west and east, respectively.

Cowee Gap
Cowee Gap is located in North Carolina
Cowee Gap
The pass is between Jackson and Macon counties
Elevation4,199 ft (1,280 m)[1]
Traversed by US 64
Location North Carolina
 United States
RangeCowee Mountains
Coordinates35°05′27″N 83°08′52″W / 35.0909258°N 83.1476479°W / 35.0909258; -83.1476479
Topo mapUSGS Highlands

It is traversed by U.S. Route 64 at a sharp switchback, at and just north of which can be seen Whiteside Mountain to the southeast. The road is known as Cashiers Road toward Highlands and as Highlands Road toward Cashiers, changing names at the gap due to the county line.

Historically, the Battle of Cowee Gap, between early settlers and the Cherokee people, was fought in the vicinity.

References

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  1. ^ "Cowee Gap". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved July 18, 2014.