SOTA Guide - Brasstown Bald, W4G/NG-001

  • Check with GDOT to see whether GA-180 Spur is open: 706-348-4848
  • Pay $5 per adult for parking and/or shuttle. shuttle is included, even if you don’t use it. $3 out of season when shuttle not running.

Drive Guide - Brasstown Bald from Atlanta

  • Duration: 1:45
  • Google Maps URL from Atlanta (33.917, -84.3378): http://goo.gl/maps/2AIvK
  • Seasonal/Limited Access: All seasons, but “GA-180 Spur” is closed in inclement weather. Check before going.
    • Google: site:http://www.fs.usda.gov/ “Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center”
      • look for “Area Status: Open”
  • Directions:
    • I-285 W
    • GA-400 N and go 47 miles
    • L on GA-60 N (a.k.a. US-19 N) and go 5.1
      • Your last McDonalds is on this segment
    • R on GA-9 N and go 13.3
    • L on US-129 N and go 13.2
    • R on GA-180 and go 7.1
    • L on GA-180 Spur and go 2.5
  • Last McDonalds: Dahlonega

Drive Guide - Brasstown Bald from Blue Mtn (Unicoi Gap)

  • Duration:
  • Google Maps URL:
  • Seasonal/Limited Access: All seasons.
  • Directions:
    • North (R from parking) on GA-17N/GA-75N and go 2.5
    • L on GA-180 and go 5.3
    • R on GA-180 Spur and go 2.5

Drive Guide - Brasstown Bald from Glassy Mtn

  • Duration: 1:10
  • Google Maps URL: http://goo.gl/maps/kxFLb
  • Seasonal/Limited Access: All seasons.
  • Directions:
    • Head south (back the way you came in) on Glassy Mtn Rd and go 2.1
    • L on Bridge Creek Rd and go 2.6
    • L on Davis Gap Rd at brick church and go 0.9
    • L on GA-2/US-76 W and go 18.9
    • L on GA-75 S and go 6.3
    • R on GA-180 and go 5.3
    • R on GA-180 Spur and go 2.5

Drive Guide - Brasstown Bald from Rocky Knob

  • Duration: 0:35 (allow more, if you stop for food).
  • Google Maps URL:
  • Seasonal/Limited Access: All seasons.
  • Directions:
    • NOTE: There is a route that is 3 minutes shorter, but the route I provide passes a McDonalds and other fast food.
    • L on Fairway Ln, out of parking lot.
    • R on US-76 and go 9.7
    • R on GA-17/GA-75 S and go 6.3
    • R on GA-180 and go 5.3
    • R on GA-180 Spur and go 2.5

Trail Guide

  • Duration: 30 minutes up (do it in 20 if you don’t mind hurting), 15 minutes down, 0.6 miles
  • Navigation
    • Trailhead behind building with vending machines. Follow the signs. It is paved.
  • Trailhead altitude: 4365’ @ restroom @ north end of lot @ 34.870537, -83.810127
  • Summit altitude: 4783’
  • Grid Square: EM84cu
  • GPS tracks/waypoints: Main parking lot 34.87014, -83.81000

Summit Guide

  • Don’t set up your antenna near the museum. Something in the building generates intermittent S9 QRM.
  • There is a little meadow with benches to your right, just as the trail reaches the summit. Operated here. You could also set up near the handicapped parking.
  • Hang antenna from tree: Possible.
  • Space to guy mast: Yes
  • Cell coverage: Very spotty. If you run up to the breezeway between buildings you may get an AT&T or a Verizon signal. APRS from top deck got spotted but no ACK.
  • Unique features: Museum on top.
  • Restrooms at parking lot and summit. Locked except late spring through early fall. Also locked when freezing is a risk.
  • Area repeaters:
    • W4NGT - 147.210 (input 147.810 PL=100.0) Blairsville, GA
    • W9QXW 146.955 (input 146.355 PL=100.0) Blairsville, GA W9QXW

Plan-B Candidates