August 10, 2010
| On this election run-off day, many of our hikers were working at the polls but the ones that could go had a very nice hike. Today’s hike was on the Jack’s Knob Trail up to the summit of Brasstown Bald (Georgia’s highest peak at 4,784 ft.) On clear days, the spectacular 360-degree view from atop the mountain allows you to see four states, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Hiking distance approximately 7 miles round trip.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Vic Robson, Pam Euliss, Wayne Miller, Wanda Miller and Jack Jacobi. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Jack’s Knob Trail is a steep climb from the intersection of Highway 180 and Alt. 180 up to the parking lot of Brasstown Bald. From the parking lot there is a .6 mile asphalt trail up to the summit to the Brasstown Bald Visitors Center which has a nice interpretive center with great observation deck for the awesome 360 degree views. The asphalt trail was closed today for repairs and we walked the road up to the summit today. Total hiking distance today – 7 miles round trip with lots of uphill on the way to the top. A moderately strenuous hike. Directions: Drive North from Helen on Hwy 75 past Unicoi Gap and continue down the other side of the mountain and continue to the intersection of Hwy 180. Turn left on Hwy. 180 and drive to the Hwy. “alt 180” intersection on the right (stop here). There is a parking lot at this intersection for access to the Jack’s Knob Trail. Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy with some haze – Temperatures ranged from 69 to 82 F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: St. Johns Wort, Lobelia, Bush Honeysuckle, Spiderwort, Mountain Mint, Red Bee-Balm, Maryland Goldenaster. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Junco, Towhee, Blue Jay, Cardinal. |
 We accessed the Jack’s Knob trail at the intersection of Highway 180 and alt 180. |
 This old tree has character! |
 Mushroom of the week! |
 St. John’s Wort. |
 Exiting the Jack’s Knob Trail we get this view of Brasstown Bald. |
 Three dollars!!! We walked! |
 The visitors Center at the summit! |
 A movie crew was on Brasstown Bald today making a commercial for the Army on safe driving. This is the sports car and actors. |
 Looking down from the observation deck! |
 Information sign at Brasstown. |
 Inside the visitors center. |
 Vic tries out his new saw on a trail obstruction. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Phil Brownrigg, Vic Robson, Pam Euliss, Wayne Miller, Wanda Miller and Jack Jacobi. |