Rabun Bald
| Rabun Bald | |
|---|---|
  Rabun Bald | |
| Elevation | 4,696 ft (1,431 m) |
| Prominence | 1,016 ft (310 m)[1] |
| Location | |
| Range | Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Coordinates | 34°57′56″N 83°18′00″W / 34.96556°N 83.30000°WCoordinates: 34°57′56″N 83°18′00″W / 34.96556°N 83.30000°W[2] |
| Topo map | USGS Rabun Bald |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Bartram Trail |
Rabun Bald, with an elevation of 4,696 feet (1,431 m) is the second-highest peak in Georgia; only Brasstown Bald (4,784 ft) is higher. It is located immediately southeast of Sky Valley, Georgia, and is the tallest mountain in the county. An observation tower on the summit provides hikers with views that, on clear days, extend for more than 100 miles (160 km). The hike to the top of Rabun Bald is 5.8 miles (round trip) via the Rabun Bald Trail and is considered a novice to intermediate hike. The Rabun Bald Trail is part of the Bartram Trail system, which winds through northeast Georgia for 37 miles (60 km).
According to Native American legend, Rabun Bald is inhabited by fire-breathing demon people: some campers still report hearing strange sounds throughout the night.[3]
Rabun Bald was the site of the first fire tower in the area, which was constructed by Ranger "Nick" Nicholson, the first forest ranger in Georgia. The fire tower was operated by the United States Forest Service until the early 1970s. After the fire tower was taken out of service, a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew dismantled the tower's uppermost component, a metal-framed enclosure with glass windows that sat atop a stone base. Leaving the stone base intact, the YCC crew replaced the metal "cabin" with the railed wooden observation platform which hikers enjoy today.
Notes
- ↑ "Rabin Bald". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
- ↑ "Rabun Bald". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
- ↑ "Rabun County". Georgia.gov. Retrieved 2010-04-25.