The North Georgia mountains may not be the Rockies (or the Himalayas), but they include many peaks that make for superb hiking and offer incredible views.   For this series, we are counting down the tallest mountains in GA.

For details on the other events in the series, visit the AOC forums...

Summit GA's Highest Peaks thread

#4 - Hightower Bald

Standing 4568' above sea level with 808 feet of clean prominence, Hightower Bald is within the boundaries of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest. There are cliffs on the south face of the mtn.  Montgomery Corner and 30 Mile Post are also both located not far from the summit and mark the point where there is a north/south offset of the state line between Georgia and North Carolina.

This should be a very interesting and tough dayhike.  Our plan is to drive to near Blue Ridge Gap and then hike north on the AT to near Bly Gap...at that point, we will leave the trail and bushwhack along the northern flanks of Rich Knob...then down into Hightower Gap and up and along the ridge to the Hightower Bald summit.

If you've ever been bushwhacking through dense foliage, you know it can be SLOW going at times...and rather frustrating.  You need to have true summit fever to tackle this hike.

The road to Blue Ridge Gap is not great, so most likely we will park near the start of it and avoid the rough part.  But we will only have to drive on the gravel part for maybe 1/10 of a mile, if that.   However, that will add another 1.2 mi to to the hike....that first roadwalk part is steep, gaining 500 feet in .6 mi, so we'll take it slow starting out.   

It is difficult to tell how long the hike will take but most likely all day.  We will definitely keep the group close together the entire time (at least within earshot) and just proceed with caution...but this should be an exciting hike for sure.

This is an "Explorer" trip (hence the max group size of 8) because we have not scouted out the route up Hightower  However there is info online that it is very doable.  We will have maps, compass, plus GPS,...should be a fun adventure...

Summary:
Roadwalk to - 1.2 mi
AT Hiking: ~6.0 mi
buswhacking: ~2.8 mi

Total distance: ~10.3 mi
Total ascent:  ~2600'
 
Click on elevation profile for larger version:

Directions to trailhead will be given at carpool (or via email if "meeting at event").