#4 Blue Ridge Ga Winter Experience

Explore The Past ... 

Ancient Indian (Mayan?) Ruins at Brasstown Bald,

Track Rock Gap and Fort Mountain

A hot debate has broken out about the possibility of Mayan ruins in the North Georgia Mountains in the areas of Track Rock Gap, Brasstown Bald and Fort Mountain. On December 21, 2011, Georgia architect and researcher Richard Thornton published an explosive article which suggested an archaeological site on the side of Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest peak, was an ancient Mayan site. Read all about the discoveries and theories, link to the story here on examiner.com and see directions to these ancient ruins. 

You can see the Track Rock Gap petroglyphs (web info here), and make a trip up to Brasstown Bald (weather permitting, road sometimes closed in Winter). Georgia’s highest mountain offers a visitor panoramic view of four states. For the best sunset in the south, the huge parking lot near the top has a picnic table and grassy area in the southwest corner that you can drive right to. If you get there early enough before sunset, you can also hike up to the top on a paved path (strenuous). Take warm winter clothes and a thermos of hot drinks. Drive Highway 515 east from Blue Ridge to Blairsville. From Blairsville, take U.S. 19/129 south for 8 miles. Turn left onto Georgia 180. Go 9 miles to Georgia 180 Spur and turn left. Go 3 more miles to the Brasstown Bald parking lot. Make sure the road to the parking area is open (can be closed because of weather). On the web at this link. For information, call 706-896-2556 or the Blue Ridge Ranger District at 706-745-6928.

Fort Mountain, a short distance from Georgia's Blue Ridge, is another interesting, and mysterious archeological site. An ancient rock wall stands on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious 855-foot-long wall is thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies. Could it have been built by Mayans? Get directions to Fort Mountain State Park here.