Trip report
Jun 22, 2018 — Brasstown Bald is the high point of Georgia. Unfortuantely there's a road to the summit, but the rolling Arkaquah Trail serves as a much more interesting way of reaching the peak. This well-marked trail begins pleasantly through the forest before taking a bunch of switchbacks to gain the extended west ridgeline of Brasstown Bald. The trail continues more-or-less on the ridge crest, skirting the high points of a few small humps to avoid extra vertical gain. After quite a bit of up and down, the Arkaquah Trail reaches the paved Summit Trail, which heads up to Brasstown Bald. You could drive up to Brasstown Bald and hike the 0.6 mile paved trail, but the Arkaquah Trail makes getting to the high point feel more like an accomplishment.