From: "richard mann" <hikeusa@freewwweb.com>
To: "at-lll" <at-l@backcountry.net>
Subject: [at-l] Springer Mountain GA to Fontana Dam NC - Part 2
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 19:54:38 -0600

Springer Mountain GA to Fontana Dam NC - Part 2

< Part 1 ended at Mile 30.7 - Neels Gap (US Route 19/129) >

*** Between Neels Gap and Tesnatee Gap (mile 36.2), there are a number of tenting opportunities...

Mile 36. - Tesnatee Gap (GA Route 348)

The trail descends into a large flat gravel parking area.  Trail skirts road (does not cross road). Group tenting here possible.  Water in run-off culvert along parking area.  Trail out of Tesnatee Gap ascends sharply via switchbacks up Wildcat Mountain...

*** During bad weather, consider hiking the road between Tesnatee Gap and Hogpen Gap...

Mile 36.9 - Whitley Gap Shelter - Wildcat Mountain

The shelter is a long 1.2 miles from the Appalachian Trail, and is (in my opinion) not worth the effort.  A tentsite or two can be found on the Appalachian Trail shortly before the shelter blue-blaze trail, and just short of Hogpen Gap (see next entry)...

Mile 37.1 - Hogpen Gap (GA Route 348)

Tenting and water available just prior to roadway, down a slope to the right.  Will be muddy in wet weather.  If you must get to a town, hitch East (right) in the direction of Helen GA...

*** Trail between Hogpen Gap and Low Gap Shelter (mile 41.3) is more severe than the profile maps indicate...

Mile 41.3 - Low Gap Shelter

This is a popular destination for thru-hikers.  Shelter is small, but there is plenty of nearly flat tenting available, and a good water source...

*** Trail for good distance beyond Low Gap Shelter is an old well graded forest road with numerous tenting opportunities...

Mile 46.3 - Chattahoochee Gap

Great place for a break, or to pitch your tent for the night.  Blue-blaze side trail to left will take you to 2.4 miles to GA Route 180.  Water source down blue-blaze to right...

Mile 46.9 - Red Clay Gap

Trail to left leads 1.4 miles to new "hiker friendly" campground.  I have no first hand knowledge of the facility...

Mile 48.5 - Blue Mountain Shelter

Wonderful small shelter in a spectacular location that catches the morning sun.  Water source is spring before reaching the shelter.  Tenting available near the shelter...

*** Descent from Blue Mountain (mile 49.3) to Unicoi Gap (mile 50.7) is a knee buster...

Mile 50.7 - Unicoi Gap (GA Route 75)

Tenting and water down the slope behind the large parking area.  Hitch East (right) to the nifty little Alpine themed town of Helen GA (motels, restaurants, groceries, laundry, outfitter, bank/ATM).  If you can get a hitch to the lodge at Unicoi State Park, the restaurant there offers outstanding breakfast, lunch, and supper buffets, and the souvenir shop sells unique wooden hiking sticks at a reasonable cost...

Mile 53.4 - Indian Grave Gap (USFS 283)

Forest road crossing with little traffic.  Good tenting available...

Mile 54.3 - Cheese Factory Site

Small clearing with nearby water.  This place has a very comfortable feel to it.  The old "chees factory" must have been operated by good people...

Mile 55.1 - Tray Gap (USFS 79)

Forest road intersection, with little traffic.  When reaching the road, if you turn left, and left again, then walk maybe 100 feet (past the green trash cans), you will find a decent secluded tenting area, large enough for gobs of people.  This tenting area is actually within spitting distance of the trail, but cannot generally be seen from the trail...

Mile 55.9 - Tray Mountain

Best views from the trail so far, a full 360 degree panorama (of course, this depends on the weather).  If you step down to the right off of the rocks at the summit, you will find a flat site large enough for one tent (shhh, don't tell anyone)...

Mile 56.2 - Tray Mountain Shelter (sometimes called Montray Shelter)

Tenting available near the shelter...

*** When exiting the blue-blaze trail from the Tray Mountain Shelter, it is easy to slip onto the Appalachian Trail without notice, heading southbound. If you find yourself once again atop Tray Mountain, thus realizing you hiked southbound when you should be hiking northbound, take a deep breath, count to ten, enjoy the view (again), then hike out northbound whistling a happy tune...

Mile 61.5 - Addis Gap

If you get here in the afternoon and feel your stamina is waning a bit, pitch your tent and spend the night, for Kelly Knob is just ahead...

*** Kelly Knob is the stuff of legend, as in "OH yeah, I remember !@#$ Kelly Knob!"  It is a relentless one mile long, nearly 1000 foot ascent, with no rewards at top...

Mile 63.3 - Deep Gap Shelter

A lengthy side trail will get you to this shelter, which is one of my favorites.  Something just seems friendly about this place.  The register here abounds with tales of "!@#$ Kelly Knob."  Water source crosses trail on way to shelter...

*** The ascent from Deep Gap is another long steep hike, similar to the hike you just finished up !@#$ Kelly Knob.  Back to back, these two climbs will test your stamina...

Mile 66.8 - Dicks Creek Gap (US Route 76)

*** Last season (1999), a fellow with a pickup truck was offering rides from this road crossing.  He charged a fee, but did not necessarily let the hikers know this up front.  Please be aware, and beware...

This is generally considered by thru-hikers to be the second major milestone of their early hike, and time to take a break.  Tenting is available to the left of the trail before reaching the road.  Tenting also available after crossing the road, turning left past picnic table and proceed along old forest road.  The Blueberry Patch Hostel is 3.5 miles West (left).  A stay here is highly recommended.  The previous days hikers are shuttled back to the trail generally between 9:30 and 10:30am.  You can help your chances of getting a spot at the hostel if you are at Dicks Creek Gap at that time.  An 11 mile hitch West will get you to Hiawassee GA (motels, restaurants, groceries, drug store, Bank/ATM, medical clinic, laundry, outfitter).  The Holiday Inn Express is a bit pricey by hiker standards, but the accommodations are outstanding.  Jacuzzis in every room, swimming pool, full continental breakfast (cereal, danish, bagels, muffins, juice, coffee, fruit), newspaper, laundry, all clean and comfy...


MORE TO COME...

pittsburgh

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