Hiking the Wagon Train Trail from Brasstown Bald Mountain - Sat, Apr 24 2004

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Hiking the Wagon Train Trail from Brasstown Bald Mountain


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Brasstown Bald Mountain
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 24 2004  9:00 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 1 2007 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 23 2004 11:59 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Don Norton (Chicken Feathers)
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:8
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
easy to moderate (7 miles)

This easy trail is unmarked at either end. To get to the trail use the Brasstown Bald Access Trail from the parking lot. As you ascend towards the bald the Wagon Train Trail veers to the right. After a brief walk a gate blocks the road. Continue past the gate and you are on the trail. This old roadbed was the original path that Georgia highway 66 was to follow. Because of this the trail is unusually wide and a good family hike, but beware, easy does not mean short. Even if a hiker is in acceptable condition the trail will wear you out, but its worth it. Some of Georgias most spectacular scenery is along this footpath and it is lightly traveled, except at either end. The trail ends behind the womans dorm at Young Harris College and it is rumored to be a favorite trail of Georgia Governor Zell Miller.

The beginning of the trail passes through the only cloud forest in the state of Georgia, on the north end of Brasstown Bald. Mostly yellow birch, this forest is the southernmost habitat for many northern species. A deep, rich loam supports more abundant plant life than is found elsewhere in the north Georgia mountains.

Near the forest is a boulderfield. While interesting, a better example is above the parking lot for Sosebee Cove. After passing through the cloud forest the trail winds north, generally following the border between Union and Towns County. Among the notable geographic features passed on this hike(in order from south to north):Little Bald, Buzzard Ridge, Chimney Top, Old Rocky Knob, Double Knob and Granny Knob. As you approach Young Harris an obtrusive radio tower is visible.

The trail ends(or starts) on the Young Harris side at the top of the parking lot behind Rollins Hall. A gate that is painted red blocks entry of motor vehicles. The gate can be hard to find.

Trail Length:7.0 miles

Required Items to Bring:
at least 2 liters water
lunch or snacks
good hiking shoes
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
camera
sunscreen

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Blairsville, GA 10:00 AM on Brasstown Bald Parking lot (We will need to be on the trail by 10 pm as we will need to set up a shuttle from Young Harris College. The trail is 7 miles long, and the shuttle is 25 miles one way.) 400 North to Hwy 19 to Dahlonega out of Dahlonega to Hwy 129 North to 180 East to Chattahoochee National Forest

Notes:

Are Dogs Permitted? no

Will this event occur rain or shine? light rain not heavy down pour. The leader will email you in the case of a cancellation.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:National Park parking Fee $3 or $4 paid at the park

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