Guided Hikes with the Benton McKaye Trail Association

Benton MacKaye Trail Association Guided Hikes

Typically BMT schedules four or five hikes per month, some “leisure” hikes shorter and easier and some 5 to 8 miles with moderate difficulty. In addition, we have occasional backpacking hikes and more difficult ones that might be called “hardy hikes.” Occasionally, we co-sponsor hikes with other organizations. Some, but not all, of our hikes are “dog friendly.” Although there are more hikes in Georgia than in the other states, you will find hikes in all three BMT states: Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Scheduled Hikes

CLICK THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCHEDULED HIKES!


MAY

May 1st (Wednesday) Lady Slippers! Mulky Gap near Blairsville. Easy/moderate 1.5 miles. Before embarking on the hike, hikers will go across the road to see a huge garden of thousands of pink lady slippers. The hike itself begins on an old logging road. Trillium, showy orcus, wild geranium, wild iris and dutchman’s pipe are just a few of the spring beauties to be seen. For the return, we’ll switch to the Duncan Ridge Trail where there are flame azaleas as well as some super-sized pink lady slippers. Contact Hike Leaders Joy and Frank Forehand at bmtahikeleaderjf@bmta.org

May 3rd (Friday) BMT: From Thunder Rock Campground, up Thunder Rock Express Trail, across Chestnut Mtn Trail and down BMT. DOG-FRIENDLY HIKE (adult humans may bring a leashed dog). Moderate 5.2-mile loop. Contact Hike Leader Ken Cissna at bmtahikeleaderkc@bmta.org

May 8th (Wednesday) Lady Slipper Hike. BMT at Weaver Creek in Blue Ridge. Moderate/strenuous 3.8 miles. This will be a SLOW, LEISURELY hike to enjoy the wildflowers. Initially we’ll pass by beautiful mountain laurel groves peppered with flame azaleas. Stop for lunch at the water cutoff beside some of the largest lady slippers on the section. As we stroll back to the trailhead, we’ll pass numerous gardens of the pink beauties. Contact Hike Leaders Joy and Frank Forehand at bmtahikeleaderjf@bmta.org

May 17th (Friday) Amadahy Trail. DOG-FRIENDLY HIKE (adult humans may bring a leashed dog). Easy/moderate 5 miles along the shore of Carter’s Lake. Lunch at the marine campground. Contact Hike Leader Ken Cissna at bmtahikeleaderkc@bmta.org

May 21st (Tuesday) Turtletown Creek Falls. Moderate 5 miles. Turtletown Creek plus two of the most beautiful falls you’ll ever see on a short hike. Contact Hike Leader Ralph Collinson at bmtahikeleaderrc@bmta.org

May 29th (Wednesday) Pickens Nose overlook on the AT. Enjoy this beautiful view on a moderate, short trail (under 3 miles). Contact Hike Leader Ralph Collinson at bmtahikeleaderrc@bmta.org

May 31st (Friday) Wilscot Gap to Brawley Tower, Payne Gap and return. Moderate/strenuous 12.6 miles. Option for a shorter version Wilscot Gap to Brawley Tower and return 6.2 miles round trip. Contact Hike Leader Steve Dennison at bmtahikeleadersd@bmta.org

May 31st (Friday) Fightingtown Creek Nature Park. The Creekside Trail. Easy/moderate 3.5 miles. DOG-FRIENDLY HIKE (adult humans may bring a leashed dog). Contact Hike Leader Ken Cissna at bmtahikeleaderkc@bmta.org.

June

June 2 (Sunday) Lake Blue Ridge Hike. This 6-mile moderate hike takes in a few
trails in the Aska area.
Contact Hike Leader Kelly Motter at bmtahikeleaderkm@bmta.org.

June 3 (Monday) Brush Creek Trail. DOG-FRIENDLY HIKE (adult humans may bring
a leashed dog). Easy/moderate 7 miles.
Almost all gently downhill. Shuttle required.
Contact Hike Leader Ken Cissna at bmtahikeleaderkc@bmta.org.

June 4th(Tuesday) Piney Knob Trails Murphy, NC. Rhodo-coaster Trail. Moderate 5miles.
Contact Hike Leader Ralph Collinson at bmtahikeleaderrc@bmta.org.

June 8 (Saturday) BMTA Monthly Maintenance Trip. TBA
Contact Joe Cantwell at bmtagamaintdirector@bmta.org.
Contact Nelson Ashbrook at bmtatn-ncmaintdirector@bmta.org.

June 15 (Saturday) Watch the water arrive! Start at the Ocoee Whitewater Center
and then hike the BMT from FS Rd 221 to Thunder Rock and perhaps see the
rhododendrons in bloom. Easy 3.4 miles.
Contact Hike Leader Clare Sullivan at bmtahikeleadercs2@bmta.org.

June 16 (Sunday) Standing Indian on the AT. This 5-mile moderately paced hike
leads us to a beautiful overlook on the AT at over 5000 ft. Contact Hike Leader
Kelly Motter at bmtahikeleaderkm@bmta.org.

June 21 (Friday) Turtletown Creek Falls. DOG-FRIENDLY HIKE (adult humans may
bring a leashed dog). Moderate 5 miles. Turtletown Creek plus two of the most
beautiful falls you’ll ever see on a short hike.
Contact Hike Leader Ken Cissna at bmtahikeleaderkc@bmta.org.

June 24 (Monday) Thunder Rock Campground Ocoee Whitewater Center.
Rhododendron Trail to Chestnut Ridge Trail to Bear Paw Loop and return.
Moderate 5 miles.
Contact Hike Leader Ralph Collinson at bmtahikeleaderrc@bmta.org.

June 24 (Monday) Beech Gap to Bob Bald. Moderately/strenuous 7 miles round
trip with 900' climb. We will park at the state line at Beech Gap on the Skyway.
The first 2 miles are on an old FS road with only minimal climbing. When we reach
the end of the road, we will head up the BMT to Bob Bald, a climb of 900' and
quite steep in places. Once we reach the top, we will enjoy the views and eat
lunch, then head back to Beech Gap on the Skyway. Contact Hike leaders Rick and
Brenda Harris at bmtahikeleaderrh@bmta.org or text 513-260-1184 if you plan to
attend.

Click Here For More Scheduled Hikes

Check out more great hiking info on the Benton MacKaye Trail

*Please refer to: BMTA COVID-19 Hiker Guidelines and BMTA COVID-19 Maintenance Guidelines.