Brasstown Bald Nature Adventure – September 24-26, 2025
This fall’s Nature Adventure will take place at Brasstown Bald, near Hiawassee, GA, Wednesday, September 24 through Friday September 26. Members of the Emeritus College and friends are cordially invited to spend September 24-26 at one of Georgia’s most unique natural areas. Brasstown Bald near Hiawassee, GA is a pleasant 2-hour drive from Clemson and the highest point in the state at 4,784 feet above sea level. Located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Brasstown Bald Visitor Center is just a short drive from Blairsville, Hiawassee, and Helen.
On the Bald you’ll find picnic areas with great views; a general store with locally made products; three trailheads just off of the parking lot; a mountaintop natural science & history museum, and observation deck that offers a spectacular 360° view of the surrounding area, including four states (GA, TN, NC, & SC), and on a clear day the skyline of Atlanta!.
Tentative plans are to watch the annual hawk migration which occurs during the latter part of September and take in the local bird scene, including fall warblers, thrushes, and other birds of the Canada Zone. This unusual area contains many plants, fungi, trees, and wildlife associated with more northern climes due to its elevation.
We encourage our EC naturalist experts to come along and enlighten us on what we are seeing. This time of year, a hike on the Bald and a drive along the 40-mile loop taking between Helen and Hiawassee should be spectacular!
If you have questions, please contact Vince Jackson vincejackson529@att.net
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (registrants will receive travel information and details later). There is no charge for the trip; you pay for your own meals and accommodations.
There is some walking involved, but a shuttle takes you to the top of the mountain and back down, if needed. Plans are as follows:
- September 24—Arrive at accommodations in Hiawassee, GA. Participants can make their own arrangements for two nights at several different hotels/motels or camping is also available.
- September 25—Breakfast and then drive to Brasstown Bald (21 miles) at 9:00 am (Brasstown Bald opens at 10:00 am). Spend the morning on the mountain with opportunities for hiking and nature study. Afternoon: free to explore and drive the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Loop and surrounding area for antiques, food, and things you would like to do.
- September 26—return to Brasstown Bald for more birding/hawk watching (the more you look the more you see) and other hiking, outdoor activities. This day will also be our rain-date in case of bad weather or fog. Physical address is 2941 Highway Spur 180, Hiawassee, GA 30546.
Nature Adventure Contact: Vince Jackson Vincejackson529@att.net
Driving to Hiawassee
Hiawassee is an easy drive from Clemson. Drive straight up US Highway 76 West toward Hiawassee. Brasstown Bald is harder to GPS. Some GPS units may display an incorrect location for Brasstown Bald since there is no physical address for the mountain. We suggest using the longitude and latitude coordinates for the intersection of Highway 180 and Spur 180 which will provide the most accurate GPS directions. The coordinates you can use are N34.847894, W83.798567. While these coordinates are accurate, this is no guarantee that your GPS unit will calculate a route accurately. The road signage is clearer. It is not hard to find.
