Rabun Bald via Beegum Gap to rock lookout

We will start at Beegum Gap and climb the Beegum Trail to the top of Rabun Bald, a climb of a little over 1000 ft over 1.6 miles. Rabun Bald is the second highest mountain in GA and has a former fire tower with is now a lookout platform with a great 360-degree view if the weather cooperates. After spending a few minutes enjoying the view we will hike southbound a little over 3 miles on the Bartrum Trail passing through Saltrock Gap and skirting Flat Top Mountain to two off-trail rock overlooks, one with a view to the west and the other with a view to the east. We will have a late lunch at one of these overlooks and then retrace our steps back to the cars. If we find a social trail to the top of Flat Top we will add this short distance to the hike. Average pace will be around 2.5 mph, with an elevation gain of approximately 2750 ft. We should be back at the carpool by about 4:45 pm.

We will stop at the Clayton Ingles on the way to the trailhead for a restroom stop. 

From Clayton take 441 north. Turn right at lights on to 246/106 towards Highlands. Drive 2.9 miles to Old Mud Creek Rd (at the turnoff there is a scenic service station/store). Note that Old Mud Creek Rd becomes Bald Mtn Rd in Georgia. Drive 2.9 miles and turn sharp right on to Kelsey Mtn Rd, which ends shortly at Beegum Gap.