Rabun Bald
Encyclopedia
Rabun Bald, with an elevation
of 4696 feet (1,431.3 m) is the second-highest peak in Georgia
; only Brasstown Bald
(4,784 ft) is higher. It is located in Rabun County, 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 (160.9 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 (59.5 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.
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.
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
of 4696 feet (1,431.3 m) is the second-highest peak in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
; only Brasstown Bald
Brasstown Bald
Brasstown Bald is the highest natural point in the state of Georgia, USA, with a summit elevation of 4,784 feet above mean sea level....
(4,784 ft) is higher. It is located in Rabun County, Georgia
Rabun County, Georgia
Rabun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 15,050. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,519...
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 (160.9 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
Bartram Trail
The Bartram Trail follows the approximate route of 18th-century naturalist William Bartram’s southern journey from March, 1773 to January, 1777. Bartram explored much of the territory which is now the states of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and...
system, which winds through northeast Georgia for 37 miles (59.5 km).
According to Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
legend, Rabun Bald is inhabited by fire-breathing demon people: some campers still report hearing strange sounds throughout the night.
Rabun Bald was the site of the first fire tower in the area, which was constructed by Ranger "Nick" Nicholson
Roscoe Nicholson
Roscoe Nicholson was a surveyor and early advocate of conservation, who played an important role in preserving forest land in the U.S. state of Georgia in the early 20th century....
, 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
Youth Conservation Corps
The Youth Conservation Corps ' is a summer work youth program in federally managed lands. The National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management employ teens each summer to participate in the YCC experience...
(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.