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The name Hiawassee
is derived from the Cherokee word Ayuhawsi, which means meadow.
A variant spelling, Hiwassee is used for the local river and some other
Appalachian place names. The town has a total area of 2.2 square miles
of which 0.45 square miles is water. Hiawassee is about 2,000 feet above
sea level.
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Note: Brasstown
Bald Tower may be closed in inclement weather at any given time.) |
The two RV Gypsies
went to Brasstown Bald on May 5th and found that the shuttle was not
running on that date because it was in for repairs. They did not want
to walk the hiking trail all the way up the mountain, so they took a
couple of quick photos and decided to return the next day. There was
a $5 charge per person age 16 and older. The two RV Gypsies have a Golden
Senior pass which was usable. But there was also a $2 per person shuttle
fee, that is not covered in the Golden Senior pass. (All prices shown
anywhere on this website are always subject to change and NOT controlled
by the two RV Gypsies). |
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 Brasstown
Bald is THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE U.S. STATE OF GEORGIA, located in the
northeastern part of the state in the Blue Ridge Mountains (which is
part of the Appalachian Mountains) on the border between Towns County
and Union County, south of the city of Hiawassee, near Blairsville.
The peak is divided by the county line.
The mountain is known to the native Cherokee people as Itse'ya
but has translated spellings of ENOTAH, and sometimes Echia,
Echoee, and Etchowee. The name in English is derived from
a mistaken translation of the term for the nearby Cherokee Village of
Brasstown, located along the upper Brasstown Creek (named in English
from the same error) feeding the Hiawassee River.
The term BALD is common terminology in the southern Appalachians describing
mountain tops that have 360-degree unobstructed views. |
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The two RV Gypsies
returned to Brasstown Bald the next day, and got much better photos
than they would have on the previous day. Plus the shuttle was working,
so they did not have to hike up the mountain trail. However, they did
have to hike down the trail, because the shuttle stopped at 5 p.m. on
this date. |
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Below: The
road up Brasstown Bald which is ONLY used by the shuttle. |
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Below: Brasstown
Bald Viewing Tower |
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Below: The upper
viewing section shown below was not open on this date. |
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Below: The
temperature at Brasstown Bald on this date. |
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Below: Lee Duquette
took some nice panorama photos. |
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On a clear day,
four states can be seen. |
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As the two RV
Gypsies walked around the circular area shown below, they enjoyed the
view from The East, West, North and South. There were arrows on the
path below the fence so all visitors would walk in the same direction
and keep distance from each other. But that did not really happen because
many people do not look down at where they are walking. The two RV Gypsies
had a fun laugh about this with a nice couple. However, there were not
a lot of people here when the two RV Gypsies were here. |
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Below: Brasstown
Bald parking area and Lee Duquette noticed a car shining as it drove
on the road. Great eyesight Lee. Once Lee Duquette saw the car, Karen
barely had time to photograph it before it disappeared behind the trees. |
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Below: Since it
was after 5 p.m., the two RV Gypsies had to walk the trail down. It
was amusing seeing all the young people getting so exhausted as they
were walking up. That is why the two RV Gypsies did NOT walk up the
trail when they were here on the previous day. Karen Duquette was NOT
happy to see the Rattlesnake sign (as shown below) so she told Lee Duquette
to always walk in front of her and stay on the lookout for them. |
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Below: Near the
bottom of the trail, there was a sign about The Wagon Train Trail and
the actual Wagon Trail beginning. |
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Below: Inside
the museum, Lee Duquette decided to show off his muscles. The circular
building is home to an 8,000 square foot museum featuring interactive
cultural and natural history exhibits, films, and a gift shop. |
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Below: A Replica
of Arthur Moody, a famous Forest Ranger. This amazing piece of art,talked,
moved its eyes, mouth, head and arms. He was well worth listening to.
The two RV Gypsies wonder if any relatives of his are still living.
If so, they must be very proud of this display. |
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Below: Signs
outside of the Gift Shop |
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Continue on to Hamilton
Go back to the 
