Two trails to Brasstown Bald: Arkaquah + Jacks Knob

There are three approach trails that reach the parking lot to Brasstown Bald, and this hike will be doing two out of three! We will start out parking at the Track Rock Gap (2280 ft), near the Petroglyph Rocks. This will begin our day on blue blazed Arkaquah Trail in the Brasstown Bald Wilderness. We will get our hearts pumping by the time we crest the Buzzard Roost Ridge at 1.5 mile with a Mountain travel of 1500 ft gain and 12 switch backs. Going east with a roller coaster of uphills and ridges with 4 Mountains ranging from 3600 - 4,300 ft with various terrains and outcroppings. Included in this section will be a 4k peak, Chimneytop at 4.4 miles. As we exit from the Rhododendrum patch at mile 5.5 we will enter the parking lot where we will make a quick stop for bathrooms and water/snack break. After, we cross the parking lot onto the blue blazed Jacks Knob Trail.

The trek will descend on the Jacks Knob Trail for 4.5 miles to the AT at Chattahoochee Gap. After a break for lunch at the gap we retrace our steps back to The Brasstown Bald parking lot, a quick stop for bathrooms and water/snacks before our final descent hike back down the Arkaquah trail another 5 miles to our cars.

We may make a game day decision to ascend the summit trail to the observation tower before heading back down the five miles on the Arkaquah trail. This will add another mile and 500 ft elevation gain to the day. 

The total approximate mountain ascent will be around 6,500 ft in 19 miles. 

This is a long, mountain hike. If you have not completed several D5-D6 and over 20 mile hikes with the AOC in the North Ga Mountains please DO NOT SIGN UP! As Trip Leader, I will use my discretion in judging your ability to hike this event. The leader does reserve the right to remove someone, if warranted. Please be honest with yourself of having the abilities to make this hike.

Google Maps Location

https://goo.gl/maps/gk79ekYR7D7UhqkGA