July 2, 2013
| This week’s hike was on the Jacks Knob Trail in GA from the intersection of Highway 180 and alt 180 to the summit of Georgia’s highest peak – Brasstown Bald (4,784 ft.). 6.3 miles round trip.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Stephen Gales, Donna Presley, Tony Presley and Vic Robson. TRAIL INFO. – The Jacks Knob trail is a steep climb up Rocky Mountain and down the other side to the parking lot of Brasstown Bald Visitors Center. From the parking lot the trail is asphalt and a steep climb of .6 miles to the summit of Brasstown Bald. The views from the amazing observation decks are breathtaking! Today was mostly cloudy with some fog but the views were still nice. Total hiking distance today – 6.3 miles with lots of elevation gain. We rate the difficulty as strenuous. 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! Mostly to partly cloudy and mild at the bottom but cool and breezy at the top. – Temperatures ranged from 58 to 75 F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Ox-eye Daisy, Tall Bluet, Cow Wheat, Whorled Loosestrife, Mountain Hydrangea, Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalea, Rosebay Rhododendrun, Galax, Spotted Wintergreen, Sun Drops, Indian Pipes, Squawroot, Spiderwort, Poke-leaf Milkweed, Tall Meadow Rue, Yellow Star-Grass and Purple Flowering Raspberry. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Black & White Warbler, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Blue Jay, Chickadee, Phoebe, Veery, Wood Thrush, Red Eyed Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Broad Winged Hawk, Junco, Towhee. |
 The starting point for today’s hike. Junction of Hwy. 180 and alt 180. |
 Getting ready at the Jacks Knob Trail parking area. |
 Starting up the long uphill climb! |
 Salamander of the week! |
 After hiking up and over the mountain, we have this view as we enter the Brasstown Bald Parking lot! |
 At the base of Brasstown Bald, there is a nice gift shop. |
 Starting up the steep asphalt trail to the summit. |
 Snail of the week! |
 Information sign at the summit. |
 The upper observation deck at the visitors center. |
 Looking southward toward Tray Mountain. |
 Looking westward toward Young Harris, GA. |
 Leaving the Brasstown Bald parking lot and returning to the Jack’s Knob Trail. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike – (l-r) Tony Presley, Donna Presley, Stephen Gales, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss and Vic Robson. |