Lookoff Mountain Black Rock Mountain State Park, GA
miles
LENGTH 2.7 MILES
DIFFICULTY 8.4 Easy
Medium
DURATION 1-2 hours
ELEVATION GAIN
1000
feet
TRAIL TYPE
There And
Back Again
Lookoff Mountain

Go from lake to summit view on this short but challenging hike from Black Rock Lake to Lookoff Mountain in Georgia's Black Rock Mountain State Park. Think of the lake as the quiet before the storm as you gain 1000 feet over less than a mile and a half. You'll be rewarded with 180-degree views to the northwest. Add the lake loop to extend the trip without adding much difficulty.

Begin at the trailhead along the gravel Taylor Chapel Road. If coming from Black Rock Mountain Road, go slow and watch for a few deep potholes, but otherwise fine for sedans. At the Black Rock Mountain Lake Loop, head left and the take the white-blazed connector trail to hook up with the orange-blazed James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail. Turn left to follow the West Fork section of the trail.

Other than a few trees to get over or under, the trail is easy to follow, just keep an eye out for signs and blazes. Follow the sign to Lookoff when the trail angles back to the right sharply. This would continue the loop along the East Fork section. Instead, turn left. Just before the summit the trail splits to form a small loop that you can go either way on. At the end of this loop, continue down the bare rock path a few more feet to the Lookoff Mountain Overlook. Soak up some sun while hopefully enjoying a good breeze, then head back the way you came.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Slope Breakdown
Elevation Gain
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Gain
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
0.3 mi
30 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.2 mi
72 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.2 mi
125 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
0.2 mi
140 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
0.5 mi
656 ft
For out-and-back hikes, elevation loss is the same as the gain.
Terrain Map Click to control map
Navigation
0.0 mi
0.0 mi - Black Rock Lake Trailhead Take a left at the start of the blue-blazed loop.
0.1 mi
0.1 mi - Straight, Left, Cross Road In less than a tenth of a mile, stay straight/left onto the white connector trail. Then turn left on the orange James E. Edmonds Trail. This is the West Fork section. Almost immediately cross the gravel road you drove in on.
0.9 mi
0.9 mi - Turn Left An unmarked trail continues straight. Follow signs and blazes and turn left.
1.0 mi
1.0 mi - Turn Left The East Fork section of the trail turns sharply to the right. Instead, stay left to head up to Lookoff Mountain, following the sign.
1.1 mi
1.1 mi - Split, Take Either Path The trail splits to form a small loop. The right side is longer but easier. The left is steeper but shorter.
1.3 mi
1.3 mi - Lookoff Mountain Overlook When the small loop begins to turn back, continue straight down the bare rock path just a few more feet to the overlook.
Details
length2.7 miles
difficulty8.4 Easy-Medium
duration1 - 2 hours
trail typeThere And Back Again
blazeBlue (Black Rock Lake), White (Connector), Orange (Edmonds)
elevation gain1000 ft.
state Georgia 
park/forestBlack Rock Mountain State Park
visitor infoVisitor Center
3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway
Mountain City, GA 30562
706-746-2141
hours7am - 10pm (Park)
8am - 5pm (Visitor Center)
parking fee$5/Day, $50 Annual Pass
trailhead coordinates 34.923058, -83.408296 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°55.38, W 83°24.5 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°55'23'', N 34°55'23'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
34.923058, -83.408296 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°55.38, W 83°24.5 most GPS units use this one
N 34°55'23'', N 34°55'23'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
Parking is along the gravel Taylor Chapel Road. If coming from Black Rock Mountain Road, go slow and watch for a few deep potholes, but otherwise fine for sedans.
Parking Capacity
5-7 vehicles.
Notes
Make sure to head up Black Rock Mountain Parkway for several overlooks as well as excellent views at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center has maps, restrooms, snacks and drinks.
Want to add a mile without much more difficulty? Add the Black Rock Lake loop at the beginning or the end of your hike.
A few downed trees you'll have to crawl over or under, but nothing too bad.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
4 (1)
hikethesouth-5 years ago
Grab the View With Significantly Less Difficulty
If you're not up for the James E. Edmonds trail to Lookoff Mountain, start at Black Rock Lake to make an out-and-back hike. Still difficult and steep, this option is much shorter and if you add the lake loop at the end it gives you a nice cool down.
Easy-Medium | Hiked Spring 2019
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