Tray Mountain

Tray Mountain, from our boathouse

Tray Mountain is the large mountain seen in the distance from the sun deck of our boathouse. It is about 10 miles away, west-southwest.



Tray is one of the highest mountain in Georgia, at 4430 ft. (Brasstown Bald is the highest, at 4784 ft. It is about 8 miles west-northwest of Tray Mountain.)

Taylor and I hiked up Tray Mountain on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2010. We started from the junction of Tray Mountain Road (FS-79), and Corbin Creek Road (FS-698), and followed a portion of the Appalachian Trail (blazed white) up about 1 mile, to the summit. On a clear day, you can see Timpson Cove (Lake Burton), including the Anchorage Marina buildings, to the east-northeast.

Getting to the trailhead we used is a rough-road jaunt. Tray Mountain Road (FS-79) makes a loop over the mountain, but the north-east segment (from GA-356 and Chimney Mtn Road) is difficult, without a four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle. The south-west segment is fairly good road, open to any vehicle. It starts at GA-17-75, one mile north of Robertstown, across from the Hooch Trading Post. At 6.5 mi., Indian Grave Gap Road (FS-283), forks off to the left. Stay to the right on Tray Mountain Road at this fork, and continue another couple of miles to the junction with Corbin Creek. There will be a Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area sign at this junction. The trailhead is marked with a white blaze.

Another approach is up Indian Grave Gap Road (FS-283), to the fork with Tray Mountain Road described above, and then follow the same direction. The start of FS-283 is reached by GA-17-75, 6.7 miles south of US-76 at Hiawassee. (Take US-76 west from Lake Burton, to GA-17-75). This road is in good condition.

We haven't yet tried Corbin Creek Road, which would probably be the shortest overall distance from the cottage. It starts 4.2 mi. south of US-76, on GA-17-75. Next time!