The Tennessee River Valley's eastern region of mountains is a
cool place to be when summer temperatures soar. Chilling out on
Brasstown Bald is among the best heat-beating bets in the
Southeast.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 3, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Rising to a lofty 4,784 feet above sea level,
Brasstown Bald is Georgia's
highest point and offers not just a refreshing retreat from the
heat but an opportunity to explore an alpine environment that seems
altogether exotic in the Peach State.
People sometimes forget that the entire
Tennessee River Basin is connected, and that the North Georgia high country is where people can
go to see where the mighty Tennessee River gathers waters in the
pristine mountain creeks and streams
Brasstown Bald is located on the northernmost point of the
Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, a 40-mile loop that winds through
the picturesque valleys and mountain gaps of the Southern
Appalachians.
The stunning vistas, water features and captivating landforms
that the byway connects visitors to makes it a most appealing road
trip any time of year, but especially in the hot months when
temperatures in the Southern Appalachian high country are
comfortably lower than anywhere else in the region.
Scenic Awe Away from Summer's Simmer
From the observation deck and museum complex atop Brasstown
Bald, visitors can see four states and gaze in amazement at a
360-degree view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain vastness and
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest arboreal grandeur.
The 8,000-square-foot museum features interactive cultural and
natural history exhibits. A short film about the dramatic weather
and changing seasons at Brasstown Bald plays regularly in the
mountaintop theater. Because of the copious rainfall, higher
elevations and cooler temperatures, many of the plants and animals
found on Brasstown Bald are more similar to those endemic to
mountainous regions hundreds of miles north.
In fact, some of those species are found nowhere else but in
North Georgia.
Bald, Not Barren
The "balds" of Southern Appalachia are picturesque, biodiverse
swaths of grassy and low-bush meadows at higher elevations –
typically located at elevations above 4,000 feet.
No one knows for certain the origin of these treeless areas. One
theory is that the Cherokee Indians cleared land and burned
vegetation to provide lookouts, camps and hunting areas. Another
explanation is that the European settlers cleared these flat areas
for farming and pasture. Still another theory points to natural
causes – a combination of elevation, severe climate, and fire may
have combined to produce and maintain these balds.
Whatever their origin, they are an unforgettably pleasant place
to hike and explore when in other places it feels too hot to
move.
Brasstown Bald also serves as the headwater wellspring of the
Chattahoochee, Coosa, Savanna Rivers – as well as the Hiawassee and Nottely Rivers, which are major
tributaries of the Tennessee River.
"People sometimes forget that the entire Tennessee River Basin
is connected, and that the North
Georgia high country is where people can go to see where the
mighty Tennessee River gathers waters in the pristine mountain
creeks and streams," said Julie
Graham, volunteer executive director of the Tennessee River
Valley Stewardship Council, which emphasizes both local and
region-wide approaches to conservation and heritage protection.
"It's crucial to conserve woodland areas and for communities in the
remote and mountainous regions of the Tennessee River headwaters to
preserve their heritage and capitalize on sustainable tourism, like
hiking in wilderness areas."
Georgia's 'Wilderness Road'
Just a couple hours' drive-time from sweltering population
centers like Chattanooga and
Atlanta, the Russell-Brasstown
Scenic Byway offers an abundance of escapes throughout its circular
course
This officially designated National Scenic Byway is a must-see,
offering visitors a chance to explore some of Georgia's most beautiful and protected lands –
including federally designated tracts that are part of the national
Wilderness Preservation System, which this year is celebrating the
60th year of its establishment.
The Brasstown Wilderness, encompassing 12,853 acres, is a
highlight of the region. Known for its highest unobstructed
overlook in the state, this area is a "virtual stairway to the
heavens," providing visitors with a divine panoramic perspective of
the surrounding wilderness. The diverse flora and fauna, including
regionally uncommon subspecies of rabbits and shrews, make it a
paradise for wildlife watchers and nature photographers.
In addition to Brasstown Wilderness, the byway connects four
other wilderness areas: the 16,620-acre Mark Trail Wilderness, the
9,700-acre Tray Mountain Wilderness, the 9,114-acre Raven Cliffs
Wilderness, and the 7,742-acre Blood Mountain Wilderness. Each of
these areas offers unique hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and
opportunities for solitude and reflection in nature.
The Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council, a 501 c3
nonprofit, serves as the steering committee and editorial board for
the Geotourism MapGuide website. It is comprised of volunteers from
a seven state region. The Council's efforts are made possible
through the generous support of the Tennessee Valley Authority
(TVA).
Media Contact
Julie Graham, TRV Stewardship
Council, 8655850811, exploretrv@gmail.com,
https://www.trvstewardshipcouncil.org/mission/
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SOURCE TRV Stewardship Council