BRAWLEY MOUNTAIN

Brawley Mountain (3027′) is the site of a fire tower that is the only remaining one on the entire Benton MacKaye Trail. The tower is used for TV and radio communications and is no longer accessible to the public. At summit, there is a flat area with winter views of Blue Ridge Lake and the surrounding mountains.

From Wilscot Gap, it is a 3.2 mile hike to Brawley Mountain. The hike begins with a steep 1.3 mile and ~700″ climb up to Tipton Mountain (3147′), then descends and ascends multiple times to small gaps before you make the final 400′ climb to Brawley Mountain. Camping is permitted at the summit, but there is no water here. The gated Forest Road 45 also leads from Wilscot Gap to the firetower – and you use it to loop back to the parking area if you want an alternative to the Benton MacKaye Trail on the return trip.