^^ Summit GA’s Highest Peaks: #20 - Spaniards Knob (4000’) ^^

The North Georgia mountains may not be the Himalayas or the Rockies, but do offer many opportunties for challenging and exciting hikes to outstanding scenic views.  For this series, we are summiting the 20 highest peaks in Georgia.  (For more info on the criteria used, click here.)

Standing 4000' above sea level with 689' of clean prominence, Spanard's Knob is a mountain that you don't hear much about, but certainly worth visiting.  It is only about half a mile off of the AT, between Unicoi Gap and Chattahoochee Gap.  I doubt there are any great views up there, but it's possible.  But there are nice winter views through the trees along the the route, and you can be one of the few who have summited this interesting peak.

We will start at Jacks Gap on Hwy 180 just at the entrance road to Brasstown Bald.  We will head south on the Jacks Knob traiil along the Hiawassee Ridge and just to the west of Jacks Knob itself and then descend into Chattahoochee Gap.

Here we can hike down a short path to see the supposed headwaters of the entire Chattahoochee River...it starts here as a somewhat underwhelming mountain spring, trickling out of the ground.

After a break, we will jump on the Appalachian Trail (AT) for a short hike of about a mile to just past Red Clay Gap.  We will leave the trail here and bushwhack about 1/3 of a mile and 500' up the ridge to the summit of Spaniards Knob.  And this is probably more "off trail" than real "bushwhacking"...the terrain there is fairly open without dense vegetation so we shouldn't have to fight through too much foliage, although anytthing is possible.

After celebrating our peakbagging victory at the summit with a nice long break, we will either head back the way we came up or proceed ahead across the wide top of the mtn and down the eastern ridge, descending to Henson Gap.  This is about another half mile of trail.  At Henson Gap, we will jump back on the AT and back to Chatt Gap and north to Jacks Gap and our cars.

The total distance for this hike is about 8.1 miles with 2650' of total ascent.  Pace will be slow although there are multiple points where faster hikers can go ahead.  But I for one and going slow and I mean 1 1/2 to 2mph in places.  So if you hike ahead quickly, you might have a considerable wait for the tail end of the group to catch up..or you can hike back to the tail end of the group if you would like to keep moving and get some additional mileage in.   Because the forecast calls for temperatures below freezing and gusty winds...and the 2650' of total ascent, this is a D5 hike.

After we are done with the main hike, we will be right there at Brasstown Bald, so if there is enough time, we will drive up to the BB parking lot to watch the sunset.  You can watch it from the BB parking lot or hike the additional 1/2 mile to the summit if you want.  I hope to do this and the trek up there is highly recommended but totally optional.  We may not finish the main hike until dark, so it's iffy either way.

Forecast as of Fi afternoon is Mostly Sunny on Sunday, after a good chance of snow on Saturday so could be a beautiful hike.  It will be cold though..the high is forecast to be in the low 30s, with gusty winds, so be sure you are up for that and know how to dress in multiple layers, hat, gloves, etc.

Even without any snow, the Jacks Knob trail is a good one with some nice winter views...Hope you can join us.

Directions to trailhead will be given at carpool (or via email if "meeting at event").

Note, it says above that dogs are not permitted on his event but that is only because they complicate the carpool and also could be an issue if we finish in the dark.  But if you want to drive up to the trailhead by yourself, you are welcome to bring your dog along.