This is just one of the unreal sunrise pictures I took at Brasstown Bald.

(Brasstown Bald Photo Gallery)

I’ve never been a big fan of waking up early, especially before the sunrise. Sure it is a fact of life that most of us will have to wake up that early once we reach adulthood, but we do not have to like it.  However, as I started my way home from my Labor Day excursion, I decided to only grab a few hours of sleep in an attempt to get to the top of Brasstown Bald before sunrise.  When I look at these pictures in my office, they remind me that doing so proved to be well worth it.

I had not done much research into Brasstown Bald, so I only knew of the Brasstown Bald Trail, the paved, half-mile hike to the top.  It looks like those wanting a more natural trail can take the Wagon Train Trail to the top.  That trail is about seven miles and intersects with the Brasstown Bald Trail.  Given that I did not know it existed, and that I had a bit of a time constraint to get home for work the next day, the Brasstown Bald Trail proved to be the way to go.

While the Brasstown Trail is not long, it is very steep.  There is not much to see on the way up the trail, but once you arrive at the top, the view is magnificent.  Four states, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina, can be seen from the peak. If the thought of a steep trail seems to much, there is a shuttle that runs to the top during the park’s open hours.

If you head up the mountain before the park opens, some of the attractions at the top are closed such as a theater and a vault that contains the high point marker.  However, the observation tower remains open for use.  Since I made the trip up before “business hours,” I just took my pictures, soaked in one last view and headed back to the truck and the drive home.

The Labor Day trip did not accomplish all that I had hoped it would.  I wanted to get to Clingman’s Dome, but it did not happen.  However, all of the experiences I had made this one of the coolest trips I had ever taken.

With such a great view, this is a high point worth visiting.  No one can be disappointed by the view from the top.