Brasstown Bald via Arkaquah Trail in Chattahoochee National Forest, GA

Hike Brasstown Bald via Arkaquah Trail Chattahoochee National Forest, GA

Class 1 11.1 miles 3700 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Jun 22, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Brasstown Bald via Arkaquah Trail GPX Track

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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.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Buzzard Roost Ridge
3658 ft
218 rise
2
Chimneytop Mountain
4303 ft
143 rise
3
Brasstown Bald
4784 ft
2108 rise

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Starting along the Arkaquah Trail.
Starting along the Arkaquah Trail.
Arkaquah Trail is steepest and switchbacks a bit for the first mile.
Arkaquah Trail is steepest and switchbacks a bit for the first mile.
Some pretty sections along the ridgeline with views through the trees.
Some pretty sections along the ridgeline with views through the trees.
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First glimpse at Brasstown Bald along the Arkaquah Trail.
First glimpse at Brasstown Bald along the Arkaquah Trail.
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Brasstown Bald Summit Trail parking area.
Brasstown Bald Summit Trail parking area.
Paved Summit Trail.
Paved Summit Trail.
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Approaching the absurdly over-developed Brasstown Bald.
Approaching the absurdly over-developed Brasstown Bald.
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View from the lookout tower (castle?) looking south to the Summit Trail parking area.
View from the lookout tower (castle?) looking south to the Summit Trail parking area.
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Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!