Well, after a break for the Holidays, it was back to the trail. I was originally going to Sams Gap, but my hiking partner got the holiday flu (get better soon Glen). So, Winterhike reconvened at Buffalo Mountain in Johnson City.
I hit all the major spots White Rocks, Tip Top and Huckleberry Knob (which I visited back in the summer). I have to say going to Buffalo Mountain brought back memories of hiking on the mountain when I was at ETSU (East Tennessee State University) 20+ years.
The park is now part of Johnson City, but back then it was part of the Cherokee National Forest. Because it was National Forest land you could not just hike, but also camp. We use to go up there and sleep among the stars. I remember one night (actually earlier morning) after a few adult beverages my old friend Matt and I decided to hike up the access road to the communication towers. I walked by those same towers (looks like there are a few more today) it brought back memories and also made me wonder how we are still here.
I also met a number of people on the trail. There was a family from Sue St. Marie, Ontario visiting their son who attends ETSU. We talk about bears, hockey and curling, three of my favorite things. There was also an interesting father and son I crossed paths with at White Rocks. The son lived in Australia and was in for the Holidays. The two of them had come up the access road like I had years ago. What was interesting is the son was wearing slip-shoes with no socks (it wasn't that warm of day).
All-in-all it was the type of day on the trail I so enjoy, I got to hike, see wonderful vistas and met new people. Old times remembered and new ones made.
Well, I made a return trip to my favorite mexican restaurant in Greeneville, heck my favorite, period. It is called Costa del Sol. I first went there back in October with my old friends Glen and Donna (who treated Deb and myself last night, a big thank you).!
They thought I would like it because of some of the different "meat" choices on the menu and they were right. On that night I had the Beef Tongue Taco and a Beef Cheek Gorditia. Well, let's say while the cheek was good the Beef Tongue was great.
So, on my return last night I once again had the Beef Tongue Taco, but had stewed a Pork Skin Gorditia and Menudo, a soup made with beef tripe and chillis, and trust me it all was great! I remember the first time I got tongue we asked the waiter did a lot of people get tongue, he said yeah. I then asked did guys that looked like me order the tongue and he said not as much.
I will say Deb would not try any of them, oh well her loss. I just know that there is no Mexican place in Greeneville, East Tennessee or anywhere north of Mexico (Monterrey in Greeneville is not in the same league)! If you are in Greeneville go!
Costa del Sol, 526 Justis Drive, Greeneville, TN 37745
Well, today I received a nice gift from my Mother-in-Law, a old-time coffee percolator (it is a stove top kind).
What is funny I was never much of a coffee drinker until I went to Italy in 2010. After having an Italian Espresso I realized that the reason I didn't like coffee was because of all the junk I put in it. So, it was Strong black coffee that I liked all along.
My Dad & his wife, Terri got us a Kuerig that Christmas. Well, from the single cup maker I then got a small Mr. Coffee.
However, when I went to Asheville, in November, to visit my old friends Matt & Jeannie before they headed to Idaho, he told me that percolated coffee was the best, and after he made me a cup that evening I think he was right. So with coffee you can say I went " Back to the Future. " Thanks, Matt!
This blog is a first in two ways. First, it is a food entry and second I am doing it on my phone.
So, I had dinner at Big D's BBQ in Dawsonville. They are famous for their Brownie (pork sandwich topped with spicy ranch dressing). Tonight I went with the half-rack of pork ribs. They do bbq some of the best ribs in North Georgia. They also serve one of the better Brunswick Stew's. Now all I need is to take the Man vs. Pancake challenge (5 lbs of pancakes in an hour).
I had read about this trail in a book on trails around Atlanta. So, I was looking for a close by hike, but wanted somewhere new, so Laurel Ridge Trail fit the bill. The trail is at Buford Dam Park on Lake Lanier. So here is some photos from the second trip out as part of Winterhike. For more checkout these at my Facebook page: Facebook Photos
I thought about the difference in a mountain being the tallest in a state vs. the second tallest. This came to me standing in the parking lot of Brasstown Bald, the tallest mountain in Georgia at 4,784 ft. Rabun Bald, the second tallest mountain in Georgia stands at 4,696 ft. a mere 88 feet shorter than Brasstown Bald, but the difference in a visit to the two peaks is stark. Here are some photos to demonstrate this difference. The first picture will be for Brasstown Bald and will be followed by one from Rabun Bald.
The first difference is evident when you arrive at each peak. If coming from Atlanta one will finally reach GA Highway 180 and at Jack's Gap where you will turn on the GA 180 Spur to head three miles up the mountain. However, you are greeted by a large National Forest sign.
The sign at Jack's Gap where you turn onto GA 180 Spur.
At Rabun Bald first you have to drive to Sky Valley, GA, which is near Dillard, GA. You will turn off GA 246/NC 106 onto Kelsey Mountain Road for a 2.6 mile drive then turn on to Bald Mountain Road and follow it until the paved road ends at the Bee Gum Gap parking area. There is a much smaller sign that informs you that one has arrived.
The small trail sign at Bee Gum Gap shows that you have arrived at the start of the trail to Rabun Bald.
**Update 11-11-2014** On latest trip to Rabun Bald a sign was added at where one turns off Kelsey Mountain Road on to Bald Mountain Road. Unfortunately Bartrum is misspelled it should be Bartram. Still, I am glad the sign was added.
The new sign, but Bartrum is misspelled.
The next major difference one will notice is the size of the parking area. First there is the parking lot at Brasstown Bald and it can be described as ample.
Here is the parking lot at Brasstown Bald and it it large.
On the other hand the parking at Bee Gum Gap for Rabun Bald is mostly wide spots off the road which is about enough parking for five or maybe six cars. But, one good thing there is not a $5 (per person) charge.
Parking for maybe five cars at Bee Gum Gap, but remember don't block any driveways!
**Update 11-11-2014**
The parking at Beegum Gap is actually more than six cars.
Another huge difference is at Brasstown Bald you will find a gift shop, bathrooms and even a guy selling hotdogs.
While at Rabun Bald, there is no gift shop, bathrooms or hotdogs (if you want something to eat you better pack it in). However, there is a 4WD parking area which doubles as a campsite.
No gift shop, but here is the 4WD parking area & campsite.
Next up roads, it defiantly pays to be the tallest mountain because the road to the Brasstown Bald Observation Deck is a windy, but paved 0.5 mile road (closed to public) and one can take a shuttle bus to the top.
From Bee Gum Gap there is a 1.1 mile road, but there is a reason why I called the upper parking area a 4WD one. Rough may not fully describe the road. Oh, and there is no shuttle to the Rabun Bald summit.
The 1.1 mile 4WD road to the upper parking area.
Now there is another way to get to the summit of Brasstown Bald, one can hike up, down or both. The trail is a 0.6 miles moderate to strenuous trail.
The trail up Brasstown Bald is a well maintained paved path. The trail intersects at about 0.1 miles with the Wagon Train Trail, which is a 5.6 mile trail to Young Harris College. At the end of the parking area of Brasstown Baldthe Jack's Knob Trail travels 4.5 miles to connect with the Appalachian Trail (AT).
One of the places where I think Rabun Bald scores points is the trail to its summit. The Rabun Bald Summit Trail is part of the Bartram Trail. This famous yellow blazed path is named after 18th-century naturalistWilliam Bartram and the trail closely follows the route he traveled from March 1773 to January 1777. One of the highest peaks it crosses is Rabun Bald.
When you arrive at the Brasstown Bald summit you will find a historical marker giving the story of Georgia's tallest mountain. It not just the tallest mountain that gets this treatment, but Blood Mountain also has one of these historical markers, it is not at its summit but at Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap.
Unfortunately, Rabun Bald has no such marker at the summit and as far as I can tell nowhere else. However, there are two stones indicting two trail that intersects near the summit Three Forks Trail and the Bartram Trail.
No historical marker, but two stones for the Three Forks Trail & Bartram Trail.
**Update 11-11-2014**
Here is new new sign near the Rabun Bald summit.
The starkest difference between the two peaks are the observation decks. Brasstown Bald has a huge observation platform with a large fire tower. Its size actually is more pronounced when you see it from another peak. It was built in 1965 and replaced a steel fire tower that was built in the 1940's.
The old fire town/observation deck at Rabun Bald is noticeable smaller. The old stone tower is one of the oldest in Georgia, built in the 1930's by the Ranger "Nick" Nicholson. When the fire tower was taken out of service the Youth Conservation Corps took out the cabin and constructed the viewing platform that is still there today. An interesting fact is the original tower at Brasstown Bald, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, was a stone structure like Rabun Bald and remained until the current structure was built in 1965 (the steel fire tower was built next to the stone one).
The old stone tower, built in the 1930's, still stands at the summit of Rabun Bald.
Another thing that the Brasstown Bald Observation Deck houses is the summit's visitors center. Inside there is a museum which house a number of exhibits, including a theater, a train and two interactive animatronics, including one of the famous,"Barefoot Ranger," Arthur Woody.
The information desk at the visitors center.
The animatronic Arthur Woody. Along with "Ranger Nick" Nicholson are considered to be the two most important early figures in the history of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
One of those things that I like to find on mountain summits are the geological markers. Both peaks have markers and there is definitely a difference in their conditions. One reason might because at Brasstown Bald the geological marker is inside a small room in the fire tower, just to the right of the visitors center. If you want to see it one needs to ask to see it at the information desk.
Northwest vista from Rabun Bald (I didn't take this photo because the day I reached the summit it was banked in by clouds).
**Update 11-11-2014**
I took this east looking view on my latest visit to Rabun Bald.
So, if you are the tallest mountain more people want to visit and that results in bigger parking lots, visitors centers and paved roads. Georgia is not alone in its tallest mountain getting most of the love North Carolina and Tennessee are no different.
North Carolina:
Mount Mitchell observation deck. Yes, there is also a visitor's center, gift shop and a restaurant down the mountain. However, you have to hike 0.6 miles to the summit.
That is the second highest mountain east of the Mississippi (& NC), Mt.Craig. Its summit can be reached by taking the Deep Gap Trail one-mile to its the peak. The parking lot in the foreground is for Mt. Mitchell.
To reach Tennessee second highest peak, Mount Guyot, you have to hike the AT to the summit area. The closest parking area is 10.1 miles at the Cosby Campground. I didn't take this photo either.
While the tallest mountains are the most accessible. The second highest peaks have a less traveled charm that makes actually a hike to them just as appealing.
