Brasstown Bald - The Highest Point In Georgia

The next 14 pictures were taken at Brasstown Bald, the highest point in the state of Georgia. It rises 4,784 feet above sea level making it the 8th highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Brasstown Bald is part of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain in Georgia and is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

At the top of the mountain, there is a Visitor's Center complex operated by the US Forestry Service. A full 360 degree view is offered by the observation deck. A museum is also housed in the Visitor's Center at the top which contains several exhibits.

Brasstown Bald is a unique mountain in that the weather patterns are more similar to those found in the northeast United States. The highest temperature ever recorded on Brasstown Bald was 84 degrees (F) and the lowest was -27 degrees (F). It is also the southernmost habitat for many northern wildlife species. You can also find plant life living on the mountain that is seen more often in the northeast.

The mountain is "bald", so called for the lack of trees on its summit. Cherokee Indian legend has it that a winged beast which preyed on their children forced the Cherokees to clear the top of the mountain so it could easily be spotted and captured. There is also an explanation of the name in the marker seen in this picture.