HIGHLIGHTS: Tray Mountain, with an elevation of 4,430 feet, is the seventh-highest peak in Georgia. The summit is located a short distance from Helen and serves as the boundary between White and Towns counties. The summit is located in the Tray Mountain Wilderness within the borders of the Chattahoochee National Forest and has limited views to both the north and south from a narrow clearing on the mountain.
We started our hike to Tray Mountain from U.S. Forest Road 79 along the Appalachian Trail in Tray Gap at 3,847 feet. From here it is a short but steep 600 foot climb to the summit. Tray Spur is located just downhill from Tray Mountain and to the right. It is easy to miss – especially in the summer months – but there are outstanding views to the north at the end of the Trail. If you decide to camp here – take water because there is no source. Your other option is to hike to the nearby Tray Mountain Shelter and get water from the spring behind the lean-to.