Benton MacKaye Hiking Trail Section 5
Introduction to the Benton MacKaye Trail
Benton MacKaye, a forester, was the first to envision a continuous trail along the crest of the entire Appalachian Mountain chain. His completed dream, the Appalachian Trail, is now 60 years old. MacKaye also foresaw the need to create major loop trails that would join the Appalachian. In 1980, a trail association was established to make the idea of a major loop in the South - the Benton MacKaye Trail - a reality.
If it is completed as proposed, the 250-mile footpath will have its southern terminus at Springer Mountain and its northern terminus at Davenport Gap, on the northeastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Completed in 1989, Georgia's 80-mile segment of the Benton MacKaye begins atop Springer Mountain and ends at Double Spring Gap on the Tennessee border. Double Spring Gap is located on the northern boundary of the Cohutta Wilderness near Big Frog Mountain. After being thwarted at the border of the Cherokee National Forest for several years, the Benton MacKaye is again making progress. The trail is now complete to US 64 in Tennessee.
The Benton MacKaye Trail Association, a volunteer organization, is constructing and maintaining the trail.
TRAIL SUMMARY Location: Western Blue Ridge, Tipton Mountain, Wilscot Gap to Shallowford Bridge; Features: Winter views, Toccoa River; Distance: 7.5 miles; Difficulty Rating: Moderate; County: Fannin; Nearest City: Blue Ridge; Maps: Wilscot and Blue Ridge Quads (GA) ; Blazes: White diamonds; Water Sources: Miles 2.0, 2.3, 2.8: seasonal springs; mile 4.1: spring to right of trail at Garland Gap; Ranger District: Toccoa
Westward-heading Section 5 makes its toughest climb right at the beginning, at Wilscot Gap (2,420 feet). The treadway gains 730 feet in 1.3 miles to the top of Tipton Mountain. A long, looping switchback on the northern slope keeps the climb from being a short, steep, straight-up-the-ridge pull. From the top there are good winter views of Blue Ridge Lake to the northwest and the Brawley Mountain fire tower to the southwest.
The trail gradually descends by switchback to Owen Gap (2,780 feet) at mile 2.0, then slabs around the northwest slope of Bald Top. After passing through Ledford Gap (2,620 feet, FS 45 in gap) at mile 2.3, the path follows switchbacks to the crown of Brawley Mountain (3,207 feet) at mile 3.2. Beyond Brawley's fire tower bear right onto an old road and turn right onto path after 35 yards. Section 5 descends with the ridge crest to Garland Gap (2,420 feet) at mile 4.1.
Continuing to the west, the route rises to 2,640 feet on the north slope of Garland Mountain before descending with the ridge to a gap (1,880 feet, mile 5.6) at Dial Road. Here Section 5 crosses the road, rises to 2,140 feet on the east lead of Free Knob and descends with a woods road to Shallowford Bridge Road at mile 6.9. Turn right and follow the dirt-gravel Forest Service road as it closely parallels the shoaling Toccoa River through private property. Section 5 ends across the bridge over the Toccoa River at paved Aska Road (1,774 feet).
Highlights
Miles 0.0-5.2: Occasional good winter views of Blue Ridge Lake and surrounding mountains.
Mile 1.3: Winter views of Blue Ridge Lake from the top of Tipton Mountain.
Mile 3.2: Fire tower on top of Brawley Mountain. Miles 6.9-7.5: Toccoa River.
Directions
From Blue Ridge travel US 76 East 4.0 miles from the US 76-GA 5 junction before turning right onto GA 60. Continue on GA 60 South (pass through Morganton and watch for turns on GA 60) for 9.5 miles to Wilscot Gap. The gap is not marked, but it is obvious you are at the high point on the highway. Section 5 begins on the right side of the highway at an old, gated road. White diamond blazes cross the pavement from a gravel pull-off on the left side of the highway.
From Stonepile Gap, where US 19 and GA 60 split apart, travel GA 60 North approximately 34.5 miles to Wilscot Gap.
