Benton MacKaye - Hemp Top Trail, Dally Gap to Big Frog Mountain

Join me in exploring some more of the trails in the Cohutta Wilderness.  This time we'll be hiking the Hemp Top Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trails to the summit of Big Frog Mountain.  At over 4200' in elevation, it it one of the western most peaks over 4000' in the Appalachians.

We will begin at the Dally Gap Trailhead and hike northwest on the Hemp Top Trail.  At mile 0.9, we will intersect the Benton MacKaye Trail, turning right and heading north.  We will continue on this trail for several miles through several steep ups and downs.  At about mile 2.4, we will intersect the Penetentiary Branch Trail on the left.  Continuing north, we will climb steeply to the summit of Hemp Top (3580') at mile 4.0.  There is the remnants of an old firetower here.  Continuing on we will cross the state line into Tennessee at mile 5.4.  From there it is only about 1.5 miles to the summit of Big Frog Mountain.

After a quick break for lunch we will return back the way we came.

Up to 2 well behaved dogs will be allowed on the hike.  Inclement weather will result in a postponement or cancellation.

We will make a stop in Blue Ridge at McDonalds for a rest room break and to regather.

This is a new hike for me, but I don't anticipate any issues.

Take Ga Hwy 2, a windy state road that turnd into a gravel road. About 2 miles into the gravel, you will see signs for the Cohutta Wilderness.  Look for a right on FS-22.  Take this approximately 2 miles to Dally Gap.