[1] Whiteside Mountain can boast the highest cliffs in Eastern North America.

[4] Since the 1980s, the forest service has tried to restrict access to the Courthouse and has allowed the foot trail to it to grow over because of dangers such as strong winds.

They also did not want accidents from paragliding and similar activities taking place from the mountain top or from the Courthouse.

[5][6] Cherokee myth says that Spear-finger, the powerful woman monster, built a bridge from the Hiwassee River to Whiteside Mountain.

Since the terrain is too rough for men and horses to get through, for De Soto to have come through here at a time when there were no roads or pathways is unlikely.