Rabun Bald, Flint Knob East, Flint Knob and Flat Top Summits
I went on April 24, 2022. Started the hike at the Beegum Gap Parking Lot at 11:07. As I was getting ready there was a few runners about to finish there 100-mile race (Shadows of the South) I thought that was cool to see. Parking is scarce but not a lot of cars at the parking lot.
I started up the trail towards Rabun Bald. There is a gravel road to the far right, then another trail in the middle. The trail is on the left with a sign saying Rabun Bald. So, take that trail. Take this trail up towards the summit after passing a “campground” the trail will meet up with the Bartram Trail (around 0.16 miles). The trail is easy up to the point of the switchbacks. After that is gets a little more challenging not by much just has a lot of rocks where you should watch where you step. After the switchbacks the trail starts to have a very minor incline towards the top for a nice pace.
The first summit was Rabun Bald. The summit is very easy to find as there is a lookout tower on the summit. The lookout tower somewhat comes out of nowhere as the “tunnel” hides any views up to that point. Rabun Bald is the second highest summit in Georgia but in my opinion has the best view. I was the only one on top of the lookout and had such an amazing view from there.
After that I continued the Bartram Trail down the mountain using switchbacks on the trail until I reached Flint Gap (around 0.64 miles for me). The sign at Flint Gap says 0.9 so use your best judgement. You will be at a fork where you can continue straight or go off to the right. All the signs are well marked. From Flint Gap I took the trail towards Flint Knob. There is not a trail name. The trail is very well maintained and has a round orange circular hiking markers with a hiker in the middle to designate the trail.
The second summit is Flint Knob East which is an unofficial Georgia 4,000 Mountain. You pass the summit on the trail. There is no clear summit marker. Continue the trail towards Flint Knob for around 0.50 miles. Trail is well maintained but there is one point where a tree is down, and you go past it. If you are not careful you will fall down mountain, so use your best judgement. That is the only shady part of the trail. Few step parts overall not bad.
The third summit of the day was Flint Knob. Again, no clear summit marker. There was a very small spur trail towards a rock outcropping with a terrific view. Would be a great spot to have lunch, the rocks are a angle so if it is wet I would avoid the edge. I made my way back towards Flint Gap around 0.69 miles.
From Flint Gap I took the Bartram Tail towards flat top. Around one mile down the trail you will reach Saltrock Gap where there is supposed to be a spur trail, I had a hard time seeing it. There are also some primitive campsites you will pass. After Saltrock Gap you continue the trail for around 0.45 miles. From there you have a short bushwhack it is steep. The bushwhack is around 0.15 miles from my point.
The last summit of the day was Flat Top. At the summit I met some other hikers, and we all were having a difficult time finding the true summit. I ended up walking passed them seeing if I could find a higher spot, but we all decided his GPS coordinates look correct for the summit (34.95120, -83.31530) this is where my GPS said we were to be safe you can walk toward the other end like I did. If you, do you will want pants. It was very thick towards the back end of Flat Top.
From there I made my way down towards the Bartram Trail and made my way back up to Rabun Bald around 2.25 miles. I passed Saltrock Gap and Flint Gap on my way back. Once I reached Rabun Bald, I took about a 15 minute power nap as well did my dog. We were both tired. Then I made my way back towards the parking lot.