Story:
Was up near Blue Ridge for the weekend and decided that this would be a good time to see a section of the Benton McKaye trail. The section we did officially starts at the Toccoa River Bridge on Aska Rd. and is road walking until the Fall Branch Falls trail turns north off Stanley Creek Rd. We started out hike on Stanley Creek at the trailhead which is only .3 miles downhill from Fall Branch Falls. Overall a great waterfall coming down. Just up from the waterfall the trail turns sharply left and begins the Ascent up to Rocky Mountain on the BMT.
The BMT is marked with white diamonds. This particular section is also part of the Rich Mountain WMA and Aska recreational area. About 1 mile up the trail intersects
with the Stanley Creek Trail (Green blazed) which connects Stanley Creek Rd to Aska Rd on the other side of the mountain. There are a lot of trails through this area and most allow mountain bikes, including the Stanley Creek Trail. The BMT itself is a hiker only trail and does not allow anything but foot traffic.
The trail meanders nicely around the ridges with moderate grade. Spring had not quite found that area yet so we were still able to have some great views. During the summer you probably would not see anything but the trail in front of you.
There was only one camp site on the way up maybe half a mile past the SC/BMT split. You'll see in the picture that someone took the time to encircle it with deadfall making a very cool spot. Looks like the stuff we used to make in the woods as kids.
Once near the top, the BMT keeps going straight, but the summit is actually a U-turn and short walk up. trees are prevalent throughout so again, probably no views during the summer. We found a nice boulder to sit atop and eat our lunch before heading back down.
Although my girlfriend would beg to differ, this is a relatively easy hike compared to some I have been on. It is almost all uphill going up, but the trail is very well graded and maintained.
Was up near Blue Ridge for the weekend and decided that this would be a good time to see a section of the Benton McKaye trail. The section we did officially starts at the Toccoa River Bridge on Aska Rd. and is road walking until the Fall Branch Falls trail turns north off Stanley Creek Rd. We started out hike on Stanley Creek at the trailhead which is only .3 miles downhill from Fall Branch Falls. Overall a great waterfall coming down. Just up from the waterfall the trail turns sharply left and begins the Ascent up to Rocky Mountain on the BMT.
The BMT is marked with white diamonds. This particular section is also part of the Rich Mountain WMA and Aska recreational area. About 1 mile up the trail intersects
with the Stanley Creek Trail (Green blazed) which connects Stanley Creek Rd to Aska Rd on the other side of the mountain. There are a lot of trails through this area and most allow mountain bikes, including the Stanley Creek Trail. The BMT itself is a hiker only trail and does not allow anything but foot traffic.
The trail meanders nicely around the ridges with moderate grade. Spring had not quite found that area yet so we were still able to have some great views. During the summer you probably would not see anything but the trail in front of you.
There was only one camp site on the way up maybe half a mile past the SC/BMT split. You'll see in the picture that someone took the time to encircle it with deadfall making a very cool spot. Looks like the stuff we used to make in the woods as kids.
Once near the top, the BMT keeps going straight, but the summit is actually a U-turn and short walk up. trees are prevalent throughout so again, probably no views during the summer. We found a nice boulder to sit atop and eat our lunch before heading back down.
Although my girlfriend would beg to differ, this is a relatively easy hike compared to some I have been on. It is almost all uphill going up, but the trail is very well graded and maintained.
Tips:
To get to the trailhead from Blue Ridge GA:
Take Aska Rd East until it intersects Stanley Creek Rd near the Toccoa River.
Take Stanley Creek Rd until it becomes a dirt road and keep going until you see the trail head on the right with a sign for Fall Branch Falls.
*You can change this route up in a variety of ways due to the multitude of trails through this area.
To get to the trailhead from Blue Ridge GA:
Take Aska Rd East until it intersects Stanley Creek Rd near the Toccoa River.
Take Stanley Creek Rd until it becomes a dirt road and keep going until you see the trail head on the right with a sign for Fall Branch Falls.
*You can change this route up in a variety of ways due to the multitude of trails through this area.
Tags:
Blue Ridge, waterfall, BMT, Benton McKaye Trail
Blue Ridge, waterfall, BMT, Benton McKaye Trail
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