Benton MacKaye Trail
Jan 1st, 2008 by admin
We ventured back up to Springer Mountain to the Benton MacKaye trailhead
today, in the Chattahoochee National Forest. It was pretty brisk up there today and a little breezy but I wanted to do a day hike on a trail I hadn’t been on in a while. My kids went as usual. Man, I sure hope it ends up being a good thing they’ve grown up hiking with us so much and they don’t become anti-outdoors as adults or anything.
We started out at around 1pm and headed down the trail towards Big Stamp Gap for about 3-4 miles and then back. Visibility was perfect today with most of the leaves down. I have taking this trail myself quite a bit further in the past to Rich Mountain, Three Forks etc…and I have to say I have always enjoyed each time I have been on it! There are a couple loop trails down near Long Creek that are good little day hikes as well.
When you see this :
white 5″ wide an 7″ high diamond shaped trail marker you know you are on the Benton MacKaye Trail. (meant to be pronounced MacK (eye) like eyeball) and named after the “Father of the Appalachian Trail” himself. Designed originally in 1979 as an alternative to the heavily overused eastern Granddaddy of trails the AT, it spans 300 miles from Springer Mountain through the Cahutta Wilderness and Double Springs Gap into Tennessee and Big Frog Wilderness on to Davenport Gap.
Its my New Years resolution to be accurate in all my directions so for those of you who use the Falcon Guide Series laying around the house, specifically Hiking Georgia by Donald W. Pfitzer- I attempted to give you a little better more accurate directions!) Hopefully you find these spots using these directions a bit better than I did!
Directions to Benton MacKaye Trailhead
- From 515/5 at East Ellijay Go East on 52 towards Dahlonega for 4.8 miles
- Take a left on Big Creek Road and go 12.2 miles to Springer Mountain FS 42 (Blue Ridge Wildlife Management) Hint:Mt Pleasant is on your left and it is 2 small buildings that face opposite direction of the direction you are driving, as well you will see a small cemetary.
- Take a Right onto FS 42 (unpaved road) and travel for about 6.5 miles
- Here you will cross over the Appalachian Trail and see the parking lot to your left for the AT trail head.
- Travel another 1.7 (making the total dirt road drive about 8.2 miles) and look for White diamonds on either side of road. (This is where FS 42 crosses over the Benton MacKaye)
Directions for Camping at Springer Mountain
- Use the previous directions and continue on FS 42 until you hit an intersection at the crest
- Take a left on FS 58 and proceed to find a camp site that is actually a campsite to protect and preserve the natural beauty
You will notice signs for no camping you will also see that there is a ban on campfires for all sites that you do not pay for.
Trail Specs:
- Best Seasons: All Year
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Lowest Elevation: 765 Feet
- Highest Elevation:5,843 Feet
- Distance: 300 Miles
- Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
Please review this site yourself here as you see fit or point out any section of this trail that in your opinion is particularly good or bad. I am interested in any feedback on this post.
