Wagon Train Trail to Brasstown Bald (Towns County, Georgia)

With some big hikes coming up in just a couple of months, I've been training pretty hard to get ready. For one hike in particular, the Camino Portugués de la Costa, I've posted a number of training events on the Meetup in the hopes that several of my friends that will be joining me will take advantage in order to get used to the big mileage days on that trip. Today's training hike takes along the Wagon Train Trail all the way to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia.

After meeting a few of my hiker friends and carpooling to Young Harris, where the trail starts, we wait for others arrive. Six strong at the scheduled start time, we do a quick round of introductions and then leave head past the red gate along what was once an old logging road. I've hiked this trial once before, but it was about five years ago. It's not terribly difficult, but it is long and has gradual elevation gain all the way to the top. 

The weather is beautiful today, perfect for a long hike. As we make our way up the old road, we get spaced out a little bit, but I've hiked with most of these people for years and I feel confident that they are okay on their own, though I will wait at forks to ensure everyone goes the correct direction. At one point, we stop for a quick water break and while waiting for everyone to catch up, one of my friends hears a water feature below the trail. It turns out to be a small waterfall. He finds a way down and after I ask, points me along the right path. It's a little precarious to get to, as you have to hug a large boulder and hold onto some trees to keep from sliding down the steep incline, but after working around the boulder, the small waterfall becomes visible. It's nothing more than a few small streams of water pouring over a large dark rock, but with the sunlight hitting and framed by the greenery of spring, it's actually quite striking. I remember seeing something on the map called Wagon Drivers Hidden Falls, and I suspect this is it.

Back on the trail, we start to see the observation deck atop Brasstown Bald in the distance. It's actually a really nice view from there because we can see the ridgeline we will follow all the way to the top. The entire length of this trail is well maintained and we are able to maintain a pretty good pace. Towards the top, we encounter a tree that I remember from my last time here. It's root system is laid out smoothly, but visibly, just on top of the ground. It's actually a pretty cool picture in my opinion.

Just a bit further, we cross the paved walk-up trail and join many, many others making their way to the top of Georgia. The paved trail begins just a hundred or so yards below us at the large parking area and then continues steeply to the observation tower. My comrades jest at the people walking up the paved trail with backpacks and hiking poles, though the total paved trail distance is only about a mile. They find it a little funny since we've actually hiked about seven miles already to get to this point. 

With everyone caught up, we begin the final ascent. I'm feeling really good today and decide to push my pace a little bit. It's a steep climb, but a good way to get the heart pumping a little bit. Soon, the tower comes into clear view and we cross the shuttle road and then to the structure itself. I tell my group to take about twenty minutes and then designate a meeting spot. Apparently, the gift shop opened today and so there are a lot of people here. My hikers scatter to explore the views from this high point. For three of them, it is their first time here. I think it's my sixth of seventh. I too take a few pictures and then make my way to the meeting spot to enjoy a protein bar. 

Once we regroup, we start making our way back the way we came. It seems the first-timers really enjoyed the views. The way back is uneventful other than one of the newer hikers stumbling in the mud and the minor excitement caused by a small garter snake stopped on the trail directly in front of me. I gave him a gentle brush of my foot to encourage him off the trail.

When we arrive at the cars, I check our mileage and we hit almost exactly 15 miles with right about 3,000 of elevation gain. Not a bad hike at all. We say our goodbyes and head back towards civilization. It's always good to hike with these folks and this was a good experience for those used to lighter miles. They seemed to have done very well with the long distance, but they may feel it tomorrow.