June 18, 2024
Miller Trek
near Young Harris, GA
Another "great day for a hike" with warm, but not hot temperatures and occasionally a breeze around Rocky Knob. This is a nicely maintained path. However, there are numerous exposed rocks and roots too, especially along the first portion of the trail. There is a continual, but not steep, climb until reaching the two bluffs along the ridge south of Rocky Knob making this a moderately difficult hike. This time of the year, the main hazard is the extensive growth of poison ivy along the trail in the vicinity of Rocky Knob. The views from the two overlooks are very good and the main attraction of this hike. We saw a few wildflowers here and there, but nothing extensive.
TODAY'S HIKERS: Matt & Toby, Alecia Morris, Shelia Getman, Jack Tredman, Jenny Bell, Renee Corbett, Kim Johnson, Terre Pratt, Angela Evans, Heather Wall & Toby, Roger Willis & Mike Bell.
The route
7.0 mi · 1,499 ft climbing · 4h 33m out, 4h 2m walking · 1.7 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
24 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (24)
A view to the south from Rocky Knob off of Miller Trek. Young Harris College in background. Today's Hikers (L-R): Matt & Toby, Alecia, Jack, Shelia, Jenny, Renee, Terre, Kim, Angela, Heather & Toby, Roger & Mike Looks like Shelia has everyone's attention at the trailhead. Nice trailhead entrance. Thanks to the Brasstown Valley Resort for access to the trail through their property. Just a little history on the the Miller Trek. Yep. It's got a few rocks and roots from use. This Wild Petunia was the first wildflower sighting. The trail has some nice walkways in wet areas. We saw a number of these Butterfly Weeds in the few open areas the trail passed through. Perhaps a Skullcap of some form??? I believe Renee described this unusual tangle of vines as "nature's art." Kim spotted this Wild Comfrey with its unusual seed pods. We saw numerous Mayapples with fairly large fruit. Trying to see Brasstown Bald from the bluff below Rocky Knob. Yep. There it is. (48.8 X zoom) A nice panoramic view from the 1st bluff which looks to the east. Perhaps this section should be named the "Poison Ivy Trail." Kim spotted this White Baneberry in fruit, aka Doll Eyes. They will be strikingly white in a few weeks. Hard to believe there were a few Flame Azalea still in bloom. The two Tobys on the overlook at lunch time. Spiderwort with the somewhat unusual pink variant seen on the rock outcropping of the 2nd bluff. A purple variety of Wild Bergamot or Beebalm seen in a powerline right of way we crossed toward the end of our hike. Perhaps the most unusual sighting of the hike was these spindle galls formed by eriophyid mites on the leaves of a Cherry tree along our trail. We followed along a small tributary of Brasstown Creek toward the end of our "trek."