High Summit near Clayton GA
 PDF Printable Version of Rabun Bald Hike
Rabun Bald, the second highest peak in Georgia 4696 ft.,
is squeezed into the northeast corner of Georgia, within a
few miles of North Carolina to the north and South
Carolina to the east. The views are spectacular with
360 degree unobstructed view so don't forget your camera.To get to the trail head from Highlands, NC, travel
west on NC 106. In approximately 7.3 miles, at Scaly
Mountain Ski Area, take a left near Post Office onto paved
road. Bear right in approximately 2 miles (don't
take Hale Ridge road). Soon (approximately 1 mile)
just before the road drops to Sky Valley, bear left at
"National Forest Hiking Trail Ahead" sign (see picture
below) onto Kelsey Mountain Rd. Follow this road for
approximately a quarter mile where it dead ends into the
Beegum Gap parking area (see pictures
below) ( Approximate GPS Coordinates 34º58'45.39"N 83º18'11.21"W ).
There are two trails to the summit from the parking
area. The recommended path is on the left. It
is 1.4 miles one way to the summit (we estimated 1.6 for
our profile below) and for the most part
is a dirt path in the woods. The path ascends 1000+
ft along most of its length. The jeep road on the right is
longer, highly eroded, rocky, and generally less enjoyable
of a walk.
The path on the left climbs through mostly hardwood
forest. At approximately a quarter mile, the Bartram
Trail from the north joins the path on the left .
Stay right continuing south and uphill on the Bartram
Trail. In approximately 0.8 miles, the trail
intersects the deadend terminus of the rough jeep trail
that began at the trailhead. There may be some
vehicles parked here. The Bartram Trail to the
summit continues on the left (in Spring of 2008 there was
a trail sign). The trail continues to climb and
eventually levels out along the summit ridge within a
"tunnel" of Rhododendrons. Shortly afterwards the trail arrives at
the summit, capped with a stone observation platform that
offers a unobstructed 360 degree view above the trees
(Summit Approximate GPS Coordinates 34º57'55.46"N 83º17'59.48"W ).
On your return, be careful to
take the same path down. There are many trails that
intersect at the summit and it is very easy to go the
wrong way.
Other hikes near Rabun Bald:
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