Arkaquah Trail - Brasstown Bald, Ga

**2ply** · 05-30-2013, 22:20

Now that schools is out I was in need of some hammock time that wasn't the backyard so me and Buddy headed out to the Arkaquah trail. It's a 5.5 mile trail from Track Rock Archaeological area up to Brasstown Bald, Georgia's tallest mountain.

We loaded up our packs and hit the trail for Chimney Top an hour down the trail. This was our home for the next 2 days.

The view from the hammock

The biting black flies were out in force but we would get some nice breezes coming over the ridge to blow them away for awhile. On the second day I was laying in the hammock reading when Buddy started barking and the buzzing began. Less than 10 ft from the hammock was this guy. Buddy spotted him coming up the trail.

I used my hiking pole to pick him up and move him down the trail a ways to a nice sunny rock outcrop were I thought he'd stay. Less than an hour later Buddy starts barking again and here comes the snake back to his rock, our camp. Between the biting flies and the rattler we decided to call it a day and packed up to head back home. We're looking forward to camping on the Chattooga next week and maybe the snakes will leave us alone.

**2ply** · 05-31-2013, 08:29

The best part of the trip was there were no middle school kids seen for days!

**old4hats** · 06-03-2013, 16:47

I have never heard of a snake determined to stay on one rock. Too bad that you and Buddy chose to camp near his rock. I wish I could have picked up the bear on my stick and moved him away. I join you in wishing for an uneventful week end on the Chatooga, at least aggressive wildlife.