Atlanta Outdoor Club

This thread is a place to post an overview and further details for the "Dayhike the GA AT" series. This is a series of dayhikes covers the entire Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Here are the basics:

The 7 sections:

1 - Springer Mtn to Hightower Gap
2 - Hightower Gap to Woody Gap
3 - Woody Gap to Neels Gap
4 - Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap
5 - Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap
6 - Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap
7 - Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap (just past NC state line)

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1 - Springer Mtn to Hightower Gap – 8.1 mi

~11.5 mile hike (with side trails and hikes up Springer to start and for sunset)

point-to-point / car shuttle

highlights include southern terminus of entire AT and Long Creek Falls

Springer Mtn 3782’ 0.0 mi
BMT southern terminus 0.2 mi
USFS 42 parking ~3350’ .9 mi
BMT intersection 1.2 mi
BMT intersection 1.8 mi
Stover Creek Shelter 2.5 mi
Cross Stover Creek 3.6 mi
BMT intersection and shares AT 3.9 mi
USFS 42 / Three Forks 4.1 mi
BMT leaves AT, side trail to Long Creek Falls 4.9 mi
Cross unpaved road 5.8 mi
Skirts the north side of Hawk Mtn 7.5 mi
Side trail to Hawk Mtn Shelter 7.6 mi
Hightower Gap 2854’ 8.1 mi

2 - Hightower Gap to Woody Gap – 11.8 mi

Total GPS recorded distance: ~12.2 miles.
Total ascent: ~3500 feet.

point-to-point / car shuttle

http://www.cnyhiking.com/ATinGA-Hightow ... odyGap.htm

Miles Data
0.0 From Hightower Gap (2,854 feet), cross USFS 42. (To immediate left, USFS 42 leads to Cooper Gap; behind to right, it leads to Winding Stair Gap; USFS 69, behind to left, leads about two miles to Rock Creek Lake.) Enter woods, and ascend. Follow ridgeline, which generally parallels USFS 42.
1.9 Reach Horse Gap (2,673 feet). USFS 42 is visible to left. Cross gap, and ascend.
2.9 Reach summit of Sassafras Mountain (3,336 feet), and descend.
3.5 Reach forest-road junction in Cooper Gap (2,828 feet). To immediate left, USFS 42 leads back to Hightower Gap; USFS 80, downhill to right, leads 14 miles to Dahlone, GA. Ahead, USFS 42 leads through Gooch Gap to Suches, about 8.8 miles. Road to far left, USFS 15, leads to Gaddistown settlement. Cross USFS 42, and enter woods to left of road. Begin ascent of Justus Mountain by switchbacks.
4.1 Reach top of Justus Mountain (3,224 feet). Continue on ridge. Descend to saddle.
4.4 Cross saddle (2,900 feet), and continue over Phyllis Spur (3,081 feet). Descend.
5.4 Reach old logging road. To right on this road, it is about 0.5 mile to USFS 42. Cross logging road onto another old road.
5.5 Cross Justus Creek on footbridge (built by GATC), and bear right.
5.9 Cross small stream. Climb slightly to top of small ridge. Descend.
6.2 Cross Blackwell Creek on footbridge (built by GATC). Continue above old pastureland on left.
6.5 Bear right, and cross small stream, then ascend with stream on right.
6.7 Reach crest of Horseshoe Ridge, and bear right, ascending.
6.9 Reach peak of ridge (3,004 feet). Follow ridgecrest.
7.3 Reach shallow gap (2,950 feet). Bear left around northern side of Gooch Mountain.
7.8 Bear left, and descend.
8.0 Reach spring directly on Trail and blue-blazed loop trail to Gooch Gap Shelter (up log steps) that rejoins A.T. in about 0.3 mile.
8.3 Pass blue-blazed loop trail from the Gooch Gap Shelter, and, in a few yards, enter Gooch Gap (2,784 feet). To left, USFS 42 leads 2.7 miles to Suches, which has supplies and a post office (left 0.4 mile on GA 60). To right, it is 6.1 miles back to Cooper Gap. Cross road, and enter wooded area. To right of Trail, about 200 yards down a blue-blazed trail, is a spring. Continue along gradually ascending ridge.
8.9 Watch for Trail relocation between here and mile 9.8. Bear to right of crest, soon turn left, and descend around northern side of ridge.
9.3 Cross abandoned, eroded road. Climb gradually back to ridgecrest.
9.8 Reach Liss Gap (2,952 feet), with stand of large poplar trees. Ascend along ridge. Reach top with views to the south. Descend.
10.4 Reach Jacks Gap (3,000 feet).
10.5 Reach top of Ramrock Mountain (3,200 feet), with views to south. Descent is steep. Continue just below ridgecrest. Ascend.
10.9 Reach Tritt Gap (3,050 feet). Continue on Trail around southern side of Black Mountain.
11.9 Reach GA 60 in Woody Gap (3,150 feet).

3 - Woody Gap to Neels Gap - 10.8 miles

point-to-point / car shuttle

Mileage breakdown:
- Woody Gap to Neels Gap: 10.8 mi
- Preaching Rock side trail .1 mi (r/t)
- Jarrad Gap Trail to Lake Winfield Scott 2.4 mi (r/t)
- walk to parking from Neels Gap .6 mi

Total distance: ~13.9 miles.
Total ascent: ~3200+ feet.

highlights include views from Preaching Rock and Blood Mtn (4458 ft), the highest point on the AT in GA and the 6th tallest peak in GA....plus side trip to Lake Winfield Scott for lunch.

Woody Gap 3150’ 0.0 mi
Big Cedar Mtn 3737’ 1.0 mi
Dockery Lake Trail 2.9 mi
Jarrad Gap 3250’ 5.7 mi
Blood Mtn 4458’ 11.0 mi
Neels Gap 3125’ 13.3 mi

4 - Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap – 6.4 mi

~14.6 mile hike (with side trail to Wildcat Mtn + walk to & from parking)

out-and-back

Highlights include scenic views from Cowrock Mtn and Wildcat Mtn.

Neels Gap 3125’ 0.0 mi
Bull Gap 3644’ (winter views) 1.1 mi
Levelland Mtn 3942’ 1.5 mi
Swaim Gap 3450’ 2.1 mi
Side trail to overlook 2.8 mi
Wolf Laurel Top 3766’ 3.4 mi
Cowrock Mtn 3842’ 4.7 mi
Tesnatee Gap 3138’ 5.5 mi
Wildcat Mtn 3600’ 6.1 mi
Hogpen Gap 3450’ 6.4 mi

5 - Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap – 13.8 mi

Mileage breakdown:
- Hopgen Gap to Unicoi Gap: ~14.2 mi
- side trip to Chattahoocee Spring(r/t): .3 mi
- side trail to shelters(r/t): .1 mi
Total distance: ~14.6 miles.
Total ascent: ~2600 feet.

point-to-point / car shuttle

Highlights include the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River at Chatt gap.

Hogpen Gap 3450’ 0.0 mi
White Oak Stamp .9 mi
Sapling Gap 3450’ 1.6 mi
Poor Mtn 3650’ 1.9 mi
Wide Gap 3150’ 2.5 mi
Sheep Rock Top 3575’ 3.6 mi
Low Gap 3050’ 4.4 mi
Poplar Stamp Gap 3350’ 5.8 mi
Cold Springs Gap 3450’ 8.2 mi
Chattahoochee Gap 3500’ 9.4 mi
Red Clay Gap 3450’ 10.0mi
Rocky Knob 11.1 mi
Henson Gap 3550’ 11.2 mi
Blue Mtn 4025’ 12.2 mi
Unicoi Gap 2949’ 13.8 mi

6 - Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap – 17.4 mi

~17.4 mi (with side trips to shelters)

point-to-point / car shuttle

Highlights include Tray Mtn (4430 ft), the 7th highest peak in GA.

http://www.cnyhiking.com/ATinGA-UnicoGa ... eekGap.htm

Trail Description, South to North

Miles Data
0.0 From GA 75 in Unicoi Gap (2,949 feet), cross to southern end of parking area, climb several steps, and ascend, climbing steadily along left side of ridge.
0.6 Reach stream that crosses Trail. Continue climb.
0.9 Reach shoulder (3,600 feet) of Rocky Mountain. Blue-blazed trail to left leads westward and reconnects with A.T. in Indian Grave Gap. This blue-blazed trail, together with the A.T., makes an excellent one-day loop hike. To continue on Trail, bear right, and climb steadily.
1.2 Reach crestline of Rocky Mountain (3,960 feet). Continue on crest.
1.3 Reach summit of Rocky Mountain (4,017 feet). Bear slightly to right, leaving crest, and descend along southern side of ridge. Rocky slopes afford views to south. Cross to northern side of ridge, and descend more steeply.
2.1 Reach small saddle, bear right, and continue descent around southern side of ridge.
2.7 Reach unpaved road in Indian Grave Gap (3,113 feet). To left along road is a blue-blazed trail that rejoins A.T. just north of Unicoi Gap. Cross road, and ascend gradually through rhododendron, laurel thickets, and beds of galax.
3.4 Cross Tray Mountain Road, USFS 79. Continue to climb, then descend slightly.
3.6 Reach open gap. To left of Trail is the site of the old “cheese factory”— see “Points of Interest.” To left about 200 feet is Tray Mountain Road. Nearby is a spring. Ascend, and continue on ridge.
4.2 Reach rocky cliff and overlook to the right of Trail, with fall and winter views.
4.4 Reach road, USFS 79, in Tray Gap (3,847 feet). Cross road, and ascend by switchbacks.
5.2 Reach open, rocky summit of Tray Mountain (4,430 feet), with excellent views. Beyond, Trail is rough, rocky, and steep.
5.5 Reach blue-blazed trail that leads approximately 0.2 mile to Tray Mountain Shelter, built by USFS. Spring is approximately 800 feet downhill to right of shelter. Bear right on Trail, and descend.
6.0 Reach gap (3,760 feet). Pass to left of knob, and descend.
6.7 Pass Wolfpen Gap (3,550 feet). Skirt western side of ridge, and descend.
7.2 Pass Steeltrap Gap (3,500 feet). Ascend along eastern side of ridge.
7.7 Swing around left (western) side of Young Lick Knob (3,800 feet). Continue along ridge.
8.5 Begin descent into the “Swag of the Blue Ridge.”
8.9 Cross Blue Ridge Swag (3,400 feet), lowest gap in the general area. Continue along ridge, generally ascending.
9.6 Continue around right (eastern) side of Round Top (3,964 feet), which is the eastern peak of Dismal Mountain. Regain ridgetop, and descend on eastern side of ridge.
10.0 Reach Sassafras Gap (3,500 feet). Off Trail to right, or northeast, is spring about 150 yards downhill. After rounding ridge, descend.
10.8 Reach Addis Gap (3,304 feet). A shelter was formerly located 0.5 mile down fire road to right; water may still be found there. To continue on A.T. from Addis Gap, cross over knoll, then begin long climb up ridge to Kelly Knob.
11.9 Reach crest of Kelly Knob (4,276 feet), highest peak between Tray Mountain and North Carolina line and one of the two peaks of Double Spring Knob. Summit is about 0.2 mile to left. Descend right (eastern) side of ridge.
12.1 In shallow gap, cross to left (western) side of ridge. Pass to left of Dismal Knob.
12.6 Descend to Deep Gap (3,550 feet). Look for blue-blazed trail to right leading about 0.3 mile to Deep Gap Shelter and spring. Continue straight ahead from Deep Gap, passing first to left of Whiteoak Stamp, then to right of Wolf Stake Knob. Follow ridgecrest.
13.5 Reach blue-blazed trail to right leading to fine view. Descend.
13.7 Reach McClure Gap.
13.9 Reach broad top of Powell Mountain (3,850 feet). From top, descend around right (eastern) side.
14.9 After long descent, enter Moreland Gap (3,050 feet). Obscure trail to left leads along Swallow Creek for about five miles to Lower Hightower Church at the Osborne settlement on U.S. 76. From Moreland Gap, bear right, descend along old roadbed, and continue on eastern side of Snake Mountain. Cross several small streams in last mile of descent.
16.1 Reach Dicks Creek Gap (2,675 feet) and U.S. 76. State highway department picnic area is located in gap. To continue on A.T., cross highway, and ascend along stream.

7 - Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap (NC state line) – 9.0 mi

~ 18.2 mile hike w/4800+ feet of total ascent

out-and-back

highlights include checking out the legendary tree at Bly Gap, and finishing up the GA AT.

http://www.cnyhiking.com/ATinGA-DicksCr ... BlyGap.htm

Trail Description, South to North

Miles Data
0.0 From highway in Dicks Creek Gap (2,675 feet), follow Trail through picnic area, and ascend along stream up ravine. Reach ridgecrest. Cross over shoulder of ridge.
0.4 At small gap, bear right from crest, skirting southern side of Little Bald Knob (3,440 feet).
1.1 Cross over spur (3,160 feet). Water is available ahead on Trail and downhill about 600 feet.
1.3 Reach ridgecrest. Beyond, descend.
1.8 Reach Cowart Gap (2,920 feet), with stand of tall pines. Located here is an abandoned crossroad. From Cowart Gap, ascend steadily on left side of ridge.
2.2 Cross to right side of ridge with knob on left. Continue below ridge, then ascend generally along narrow crest, with fine views on both sides in winter.
3.0 Pass to right of Buzzard Knob (3,760 feet). Descend.
3.2 Reach Bull Gap (3,550 feet). Ascend, bearing to left and then right side of ridgetop. Descend to left of ridge. Green moss, laurel, and rhododendron cover rocky slopes above Trail.
4.3 Reach Plumorchard Gap (3,090 feet). This is the midpoint of the section. To right (east), blue-blazed trail leads about 0.2 mile to Plumorchard Gap Shelter, with stream. A spring is approximately 600 feet from A.T. on trail to left of gap. Below shelter, trail leads down Plumorchard Creek about three miles to road at Plumorchard Church. In Plumorchard Gap, old trail to left, west, leads down Big John Creek to Pleasant Hill School at road on Hightower Creek. From Plumorchard Gap, A.T. ascends toward summit of As Knob.
4.8 Reach crest of As Knob. Descend, and ascend slightly.
5.0 Reach high point of As Knob (3,440 feet). Descend.
5.6 Reach Blue Ridge Gap (3,020 feet) and dirt road, usually impassable by two-wheel-drive automobiles. Cross road, and ascend, following wide trail.
6.2 Bear to left of ridge, swinging around western side of Wheeler Knob (3,560 feet).
6.8 Reach ridgecrest at Rich Cove Gap (3,400 feet). Ascend to right of ridge, skirting eastern side of Rocky Knob (3,560 feet). Regain ridgetop. Cross over small knob.
7.5 In wide, level section, obscure trail on left leads one mile to headwaters of Hightower Creek. Along this section in the fall and winter are views of Hightower Bald on left. Ascend, continuing along narrow ridgetop. Descend, then cross over small knob. Near top is rock outcrop on left with fine views.
8.1 Bear to right of ridgecrest, skirting eastern side of Rich Knob.
8.6 Cross Georgia-North Carolina state line (unmarked). Turn left uphill, then right at top of ridge. Spring is located several yards to the right and downhill at left turn on A.T.
8.8 Reach cleared crest of Bly Gap (3,840 feet). The A.T. continues along crest straight ahead and climbs towards Sharp Top. An old road crosses the gap from west to east, leading east to the Tallulah River Valley. Springs are located on the right before clearing, and another spring is 100 feet on left just before starting up ridge.

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We finished up the first series of Sections 1 through 7 earlier this month. Here are links to each of the events with writeups and pics:

1 - Springer Mtn to Hightower Gap : http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=1253
2 - Hightower Gap to Woody Gap : http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=1257
3 - Woody Gap to Neels Gap : http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=1160
4 - Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap : http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=1161
5 - Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap : http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=1162
6 - Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap : http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=1163
7 - Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap : http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=1258

Also the Google Earth and .gpx files are posted below.

Hopefully these will be done repeatedly over the coming years by other trip leaders as they are all fun, challenging hikes.