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