Brasstown Bald is the highest point in the state of Georgia. It’s elevation of 4,784ft is some 88ft higher than Rabun Bald (the 2nd highest point) and is one of just a few mountains in Georgia with a 360º view. I have personally visited this mountain too many times to count over the past few years, and it is one of my favorite places to go.
Brasstown Bald
The mountain got it’s name from a mistranslation of two Cherokee words, one which meant “New Green Place” and the other which meant “Brass”. A more common name from the Cherokee (and the one noted on the marker at the top) is Enotah. It is the center of many Cherokee legends, most importantly the “Great Flood” legend where the surviving Cherokee people’s canoe landed on the summit, where they lived until the waters resided.
Today, the mountain is home to an observation deck run by the Forest Service. A van runs the road from the parking lot to the top, transporting visitors who wish to omit the steep, albeit paved, .6 mile trail, to the top of the observation deck. During open hours, a learning center is open on the summit. A short film is shown numerous times through the day in the Mountaintop Theatre where you can learn about the different seasons on the Bald.
Four states are visible from the summit: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. On a very clear day the tall North Carolina 6000 foot ridge-line near Asheville is visible to the north, and the skyline of Atlanta can be seen from the south (as well as Stone and Kennesaw Mountains).
In years past, the tower atop the mountain was used as a fire lookout by the Forest Service. Today, satellites have outdated this way of spotting fires, but the tower remains as a nice photographic opportunity.
There are two grassy areas on top for picnics. One is located at the top of the trail, another sits on the eastern side of the tower and has an incredible view of the mountains. During the day when the van is transporting people to the top, access to the mountain view spot can be a bit spotty, but as long as you watch for the van you shouldn’t have any issues. There is also an area with picnic tables and a couple campsite grills located in the parking lot.
A trip to Brasstown for a sunset is an absolute must. As a connoisseur of sunsets, the vantage point of watching the sun set over the mountains is as good as it gets. To me, this is what people are thinking of when they label these mountains as “God’s Country”.
Directions:
To get there from Clarkesville, take Hwy 115 to Hwy 17, and take 17 to Hwy 75. Turn right and head through Helen and over the mountain, where you turn left onto Hwy 180 (there are signs towards Brasstown). Follow 180 for approximately 5 miles then turn right onto the Hwy 180 spur (lots of signs) which will take you to the parking lot. Admission to the park is $5 per person during the visitor center open hours, and $3 after hours. The admission includes a van trip to the top and back before 5PM.
This is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. I highly recommend it as a wonderful family outing.
I’ll see you on the road (or trail)…. ~TW
