Saturday, June 25, 2005
I have hiked Arkaquah twice in the last 9 months with The "Rockheads", a group of hikers who daily walk up Stone Mtn to keep fit for the longer hikes. Not as familiar with trail terminology as the others, but I can say that I personally thoroughly enjoyed the trail. I am one of the youngest in the group (51) and found it quite taxing on my ankles, but I can`t let the old folk outdo me. We did encounter quite a bit of ice back in the late fall and at one point almost broke out the ropes. Both times we saw a half dozen others hiking the same trail. There were some gorgeous views! Can`t wait to return. TonyT
Sunday, June 5, 2005
Hiked Trail on 6-4-05 and started and finnished to brasstown bald. Hike from brasstown bald to track rock gap was not that hard, but was difficult in some places, the hike from track rock gap back to brasstown bald was extreamly difficult, make sure you have lots of water and re in good shape in you plan to hike this trail from and too brasstown bald.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Hiked this one on 4/16/05 starting at the Track Rock end. The first mile will tell you what kind of shape you are in. My GPS told me we had asscended 1000 feet in just over a half mile. Ran out of water at Blue Bluff so we hiked back rather than continue on. Excelent views once you reach the top. Be sure to carry plenty of water. Several heart pounding, calf burning sections.
Monday, November 8, 2004
I hiked the Arkaquah with my Malamute from Track Rock Gap to the parking lot in about 4 hours on October 30, 2004. It is certainly a difficult hike and the trail has several rugged sections on the ascent to Chimney Top. Once you are at the summit of Chimney Top, the view is spectacular. If you don't stop there to take it in, you should be thrown off. There were a lot of people on the trail that day, but going the other way. Many were fairly experienced on this trail. One older gentleman commented that in such terraine, a 2 mile per hour rate is quite optimistic. I doubt some of the posts here that boast a 2 1/2 hour hike round trip - that's nonsense. You will spend a lot of time on this trail, so plan for it. Its not a race so take breaks and take in the view like I did. I mean, that's what its all about. Bring plenty of water and Trail Mix. It kept me going. Great views and spectacular fall foliage made this an exceptional and memorable trip worth doing over and over again. Have fun and good luck.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
I walked it on 10/09/04 from the Brasstown parking area , hiking toward the West. It was beautiful. The day was cool, misty and foggy for the first half of the hike, and a little slippery at times. I slipped at, what I suspect is called Low Gap, where the rock face is about half way up the mountain, and as I worked my way down I fell on that big falt rock and rolled against the rock. No permanent injuries ocurred, but it made the last mile grueling for me. I would do it again in a minute, but I intend to do some stair climbing first, to prepare myself better for the style of climb. I have done many hikes before both on my own and with the Florida Trail Association, but mountain climbing is very different than sloshing around in the wetlands and swamps. I anticipated the differences and I was excited when able to encounter them. Just be careful and follow the footpath, expecially if it is wet or during bad weather. A special thanks to those who left their mark of trail maintenance ahead of me. I could see they had done some clean up after the previous storms.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
I have hiked this trail we did an out and back was moderate going out and the return to we got to HWY 180 and the hike up to Brasstown Bald was a hard hike
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Training for mountian climb. The 40 lb pack,water,bagel, and 4 different gel flavors,were all part of a body and equipment check.From Track Rock the trail gave me just what I was looking for, steady heart pounding up hill. Fifty minutes later I was on top of the first high point.One the most beautiful views I've ever seen in the N.GA. mountians (8:50am).Over an hour later I was at another rock outcrop and could see the summit.Total time 3 hours to parking lot.NO one on the trail,good condition.
Monday, April 5, 2004
We did a round-trip hike on 4/4/04 and had a great time. We started at Track Rock and went to the top of Brasstown. We would suggest that a hike when the leaves are gone from the trees this will give better views of the area. The trail seemed to be well traveled and easy to follow on our hike. It is a hard hike, so take your time and enjoy. The entire hike plus time at the top, breaks took a little over 7 hours.
Monday, April 5, 2004
Hiked up Arkaquah one way from Track Rock Gap 2 days ago. As noted in the other posts, the first 1.5 miles are pretty tough. However, it is worth it, the weather was perfect (very clear, around 65 degrees) and the views were great. It took us a little over 2 1/2 hours to get to the summit of Brasstown Bald but we stopped frequently. This is not an easy hike by any means but it is a good work out and a nice adventure.
Monday, January 26, 2004
April 27, 2003 Hiked round trip starting from Track Rock Gap. Total time 5 hrs.--including a 1 hour lunch break at the highest point observation deck. Weather was spectacular, but the thousands of rhododendrons buds were not in bloom. Recommend timing trip so they are. HIking from Track Rock Gap makes for an easy trip home at the end of the day.
Thursday, December 25, 2003
I hiked Arkaquah on Christmas Day. I used to think that Wagon Road Trail was the most scenic trail in North Georgia. I now consider it the second. Arkaquah is just magnificent. I recommend walking it in the winter during a cold snap. The ice formations are the most memorable feature of this trail. But be careful. The ice can also be dangerous. There was one little canyon (probably right at about the halfway point) that was just loaded with ice formations.....Beautiful!! Hiked the trail from end to end in about three hours and fifty minutes. If there is anyone looking for hiking advice or a hiking partner, feel free to zap me an email.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Hiked Arkaquah October 25, 2003. Trail in great shape with several spectacular breakout views. Hiked from Brasstown to Trackrock. Takes around 3 hours with 2 breaks.
Sunday, July 6, 2003
trail hiked from Track Rock up to Brasstown on 6 July 2003. Easy to follow with a few blue blazes left. Wet in spots and care needed climbing some slick rock sections.
Sunday, July 7, 2002
The trail is now clearly marked despite the spring growth. GREAT downhill hike.
Sunday, July 7, 2002
I hiked the Arkaquah trail on Saturday, July 6th 2002 going downhill to Track Rock Gap. Unfortunately, with the heat wave and weather being what it was, there were only hazy views available at a few spots. There was no wind at all on Brasstown Bald itself. I was amazed to read that someone took only a little over 4 hours to hike up AND back. I took a very leisurely but steady downhill hike that took approx. 4 hours (but then--I'm from Florida!) Whatever the case in the past, the trail was very clearly marked the whole way. If there were fallen trees to clamber over they weren't memorable. There were no feelings of being on the edge of sheer cliffs with one small exception that was easily negotiated with caution. The only other part to be careful on was the descent to track rock as the soil on the switchbacks is very smooth and somewhat slippery. A good walking stick is always recommended! The walk seemed longer than 5 miles to me...
Sunday, July 7, 2002
Did a round trip hike from Track Rock Gap to the summit of Brasstown Bald and back down on 6/30/02. From the Brasstown Bald parking lot, we used the .5 mile Summit Trail to reach the top. Total mileage 12.2 miles, time 4 hours 15 minutes. The first 1.7 mile ascent to Buzzard Roost Ridge is strenuous, but the rest of the path is easy to moderate. The trail is easily followed so you won't have to worry about the infrequent blazes. After hiking 5.6 miles on the Arkaquah, the .5 mile hike to Brasstown Bald's crown seemed more difficult than it was. A great trail and I highly recommend it.
Friday, May 31, 2002
Hiked the Arkaquah Trail on May 18, 2002. Trail was clear with no obstacles. Saw no other hikers. Trail is poorly marked. Rhododendron's not yet in bloom.
Friday, November 9, 2001
I hiked this trail durinbg the first week of October. It was extremely treacherous at some spots with sheer dropoffs on one side of paths no wider than 12 inches. Also, be prepared to duck and weave around fallen trees and rocks.
Friday, May 25, 2001
I found this trail to be fairly difficult, especially the initial assent from track rock gap road. There was a good deal of debris (mostly downed trees) all are relatively easily passed, some overgrowth. It appeared the only visitors on the trail in recent times were the wild animals that inhabit the area. I found the views to be very rewarding and well worth the trip.
Friday, May 25, 2001
Hiked 5-23-01 I found this trail to be fairly difficult, especially the initial assent from track rock gap road. There was a good deal of debris (mostly downed trees) all are relatively easily passed, some overgrowth. It appeared the only visitors on the trail in recent times were the wild animals that inhabit the area. I found the views to be very rewarding and well worth the trip.
Monday, October 30, 2000
Did the trail from Track Rock Gap to Brasstown. This was a considerabe challenge for me since I am a beginner. Loved it, great views, and can't wait to do it again. In my opinion, the ONLY way to do this trail is from the bottom up, that is, IF you are looking for a challenge.
Monday, October 30, 2000
Did the round trip from Track Rock Gap to Brasstown. The first part was the hardest trail I have hiked in GA and the return was no picnic either. But the trail is well worth the trip and one of the most breathtaking (in more ways than one) I have experienced!! Be prepared that if you can not make the round trip, to have transportation arranged in advance to get back to your starting location!!!
Thursday, July 20, 2000
Starting at Trackrock, the trail is at its most difficult, especially the first 1.5 miles up to Buzzard!
Friday, May 19, 2000
DO NOT DO THIS TRAIL FROM TRACK ROCK GAP TO BRASSTOWN BALD!! The trail is not scenic, there is no water, and the switchbacks are non-existent. However, it may be enjoyable the opposite way so give it a shot.
Thursday, March 23, 2000
Definately agree that the way to walk this trail is from Brasstown to Track Rock.
Only beware of traffic on Track Rock Gap Road. They are crazy.
Monday, February 21, 2000
I hiked the trail from the gap up (12 miles round trip). The first mile seems to be the toughest then is gets moderate. Very good views across the ridges and saddles. The last third of the round trip is rough on the knees. We did this route in 5 hours with a 20 minute stop at brasstown bald to eat.
Monday, February 7, 2000
One of the most scenic trails in GA - particularly from Chimney Rock. Hiked it on 6 Feb 00, 3:00PM, sunny, +/-50degF, some snow on trail. Hiked only to Chimney Rock and returned. Time to hike, each way: 35-min. Two hour drive from Atlanta. Will do it again. Walk up to tower from parking lot is worth the trip (rest rooms should have been left open but weren't!)
Trail Length:5.5 miles
Location: Union County
Features:scenic, picnicking.
Last hiked:10/20/2001 | Type of trail:Point-to-point
Our rating:Difficult
Your rating:Hard (67)
Date added:10/12/1996
Trail Usage:Light
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