Road to Brasstown Bald closed

GAINESVILLE - It's not unusual for the road to the top of Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia, to be closed in the winter months but in early October, with "leaf-looking" season just around the corner?

The Georgia Department of Transporation (GDOT) announced Monday, though, that it is, in fact, closed. Why? At the request of the U.S. Forest Service and because of the government shutdown. The forest service operates the facilities on top of the mountain as well as the visitors center at its base.

The road is officially known as State Route 180 Spur. It is in Towns County and leads to the Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center and day-use parking area.

The road, which has no businesses or homes along it, will remain closed until the forest service requests its opening, according to GDOT.