Georgia · Hiking · Near Red Bank

Expert

0.5 mi
round trip
209 ft
climb
1,875 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Expert is a short, easy hike in Cloudland Canyon State Park in northwest Georgia, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The nearest town is Ascalon, about 1.6 miles away. The route is an out-and-back of about a mile, with a total climb of 209 feet from the start at 1,814 feet to a high point of 1,875 feet. The steepest stretch comes early, at about 0.11 miles in, with an 8% grade. The trail is short and gentle, so it works well as a quick stop or a warm-up before longer hikes in the park. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 74°F and October highs around 67°F, with September and October seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several other hikes sit within half a mile, including Barkeater, Great Eastern Trail - Lookout Mountain and Can't Hardly. Paddlers can find Sitton Gulch Creek about 2.7 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Primitive Campsite 1

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Canyon Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rainsPub. by Cline Photo Co., Chattanooga. Tenn. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros.,..., Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

    Ochs Memorial Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 14 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Pub. by Cline Photo Co., Chattanooga. Tenn. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros.,..., Public domain (commons)

More in Red Bank
  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit Expert

    Best months: March–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 29°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      49° / 31°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      58° / 39°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 47°

      11 wet

    5. May

      74° / 57°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 65°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 67°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 67°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 61°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      67° / 51°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 40°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 32°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lookout Mtn-Point Park, TN, 13.8 mi away at 2,110 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors