Bartram Trail to Rabun Bald - Sat, Mar 7 2026

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Bartram Trail to Rabun Bald


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Bartram Trail at Hale Ridge Road,, near Clayton, GA   Hike: Bartram Trail to Rabun Bald  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Mar 7 2026  9:00 am >> Sat, Mar 7 2026 2:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Tue, Feb 17 2026 7:05 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Mar 6 2026 7:05 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:8 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Kelly
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

We are going to be hiking to Rabun Bald via the Batrum trail. Rabun Bald is typically listed as a D5, but this is shorter version to give people a chance to experience the fantastic views from Rabun Bald, the second highest point in Georgia. While this route is less difficult that the usual routes, it is still very hard. We will climb about 2,260 feet over 8 miles, some of it very steep. But the views are spectacular, well worth the climb! We will begin where the Bartram Trail crosses Hale Ridge Road, about 30 minutes from the Clayton Ingles. From there we will hike south on the Bartram Trail to Rabun Bald. At Rabun Bald we will ascend the stone tower to the wooden deck with fabulous views into Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennesee, and maybe even Alabama. We will have a snack/lunch break at Rabun Bald before returning to the trailhead.

The Bartram Trail is a beautiful, well maintained trail that is far less travelled than our beloved AT. So we are likely to enjoy some solitude on parts of this hike.

I typically hike around 2.7 miles/hour, slower up hill. We will stop as needed to stay together and enjoy the views.

 


Required Items to Bring:

Water

Lunch and/or snacks

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Clothing appropriate for the weather

Camera

Poles (highly recommended)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Parking at the trailhead is limited, so we will meet at the Clayton Ingles at 8:40 am and squeeze into the fewest cars possible. Please do not go directly to the trailhead!

You must either join the carpool at Indian Trail Park and Ride or meet us at the Ingles in Clayton. From the Carpool we will drive to the Ingles in Clayton, where we can use the restrooms and pick up lunch if desired. If you type "Ingles Clayton" into your GPS (Google or Apple Maps) it will take you to the right place. Here is a link for Google Maps:

https://goo.gl/maps/foL9trA5N VQJxApt5

Please arrive at the Clayton Ingles by 8:40, so we can depart for the trailhead at 9.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):194Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $77.60 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

We will travel together to the trailhead. It takes about 30 minutes to get there from Ingles. The GPS coordinates for the trailhead are 34.99564° N, 83.28187° W. The time estimate listed above includes the time to drive to and from Ingles. 

We are not meeting at the trailhead due to the very limited parking available.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.