Summit Sunset Series #3 - Fort Mountain

This third in the Summit Sunset Series where we will enjoy sunsets from some of the finest scenic viewpoints in GA...all on or near mountain peaks.  If you've never had this experience, you don't know what you're missing, so time to find out...

The main focus of this event is the 8.8 mile Gahuti Trail at Fort Mountain State Park, but if there is time, we will try to also hike the other major trails in the park...they are each short and connect to the Gahuti. We will begin at the north trailhead (near the summit of Fort Mtn itself) and enjoy the views from the two main overlooks as well as checking out the historic stone tower and wall. We will then head down the Gahuti trail, traveling clockwise.

After stopping at a south facing overlook for a snack break, we will take the Goldmine Creek trail and then backtrack to where we left off on the Gahuti, and then proceed onwards. We will leave the Gahuti again on the Big Rock Trail, a short connector to the Lake Trail. After walking around the lake on this one (just 1.2 miles), we will stop for lunch.

From there, we will head back to the Gahuti for the last three miles, which are mostly uphill. We'll take the connector trail back to the top and check out the overlooks again, now with the sun now low in the sky. We will plan to watch the sunset from the West Overlook.   Depending on how good the sunset is, we may hang out there for 15 min or so afterwards and enjoy the fading light and changing colors....then it is just a short walk back to the cars.

Elevation change is just about 700 feet through the entire park but there are many significant climbs and descents along these trails. Total hiking distance should be about 12 miles and total ascent will be between 2500-3000 feet.

There are some very scenic overlooks from this trail with views of the Cohutta mtns to the north and views far into TN if visibility is good. The West Overlook is, without a doubt, one of the finest views in the state.

http://gastateparks.org/content/Georgia/parks/trail_maps/FortMountain_map.pdf

Note:  this is a D5 hike so be sure that you are in good enough shape for a hike of that distance with the elevation changes.  However it's not a "fitness" hike...we will be moving at a moderate pace but certainly not rushing through it.