 The Benton MacKaye Trail, named for the founder of the Appalachian Trail, begins at Springer Mountain and is nearly 300 miles. The Benton Mackaye Trail crosses FSR 42 approximately 0.9 miles from Winding Stair Gap and 1.8 miles from the Springer Mountain parking area. The Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) crosses the AT twice before joining the AT at the Three Forks area thus affording the opportunity for three different loop hikes of about 5, 7 and 9 miles going one way on the AT and returning on the BMT. The BMT continues to follow the AT for about 1 mile to near the Long Creek Falls where it joins the Duncan Ridge Trail (DRT). A photo of Long Creek Falls can be seen on the Appalachian Trail Page on this web site. Both the BMT and The DRT trails turn left leaving the AT and crossing Long Creek on a foot bridge above the falls . The BMT and the DRT continue generally northeast crossing the Toccoa River on a 260 ft. suspension bridge. The BMT continues to Rhodes Mountain where it parts with the DRT and turns generally west passing by the Rich Mountain Area and through the Cohutta Wilderness before crossing into Tennessee.
For more information, visit the Benton MacKaye Trail Association.
|
