Sat, Feb 22 2020 - Rabun Bald & Flat Top Mountain - Winter Hiking (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Steve H Participants: Steve H, Cathy, Steve T, Marlene, Ray Stewart, Amy, Wendy

Spectacular day on the trail with a strong group and fantastic weather, this turned into one of the best hikes of the year. We knocked out this hike with fun and style and phenomenal views of three states. This was a shuttle hike without much parking at the trailhead, so we started out with seven people in two cars after meeting up at the Ingles in Clayton. Then, after finding and dropping everyone off at Three Forks, Steve T and Steve H dropped off a second car at the northern Bartram trailhead. Once we all gathered back at Threes Forks, we really got our hearts pumping with a nearly straight up climb for 2.9 miles to the top of Rabun Bald. Of course, the final two tenths of a mile were the toughest as the steepest part of the ascent was near the top. The question of the day was, "Are we almost there?" After refueling and time for a few pictures the group headed three miles south on the yellow-blazed Bartram Trail to Flat Top mountain and then to a nearby scenic overlook for lunch. With full bellies and more pictures we headed three miles back to the top of Rabun and then another four miles to the Bartram trailhead and the second car. To save time, all seven of us all piled into the car and took the bumpy ride back to the Three Forks trailhead and the other car and drive back to the carpool to head home.