Sat, Nov 22 2008 - Hiking - Unicoi Gap to Brasstown Bald (w/sunset) (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Tony C, cliff j, Kevin Crowe Participants: Tony C, Kevin Crowe, cliff j, Marshall, Karen, Scott Looper, Shaun Richardson, Nicole Anderson, Sunnie, Jennifer Rush, Jeff Gimpel, Gary Hubert, Angela, Chris L, Erik Olson

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Write Up:
This hike ended up living up to its billing....it was definitely challenging, but also very rewarding for those who made the long uphill trek from Unicoi Gap to the top of Brasstown Bald.

The day started with a somewhat frigid carpool...but we made good time on the drive, stopping at McD for breakfast/coffee and then on to Unicoi Gap. After the necessary car shuttling was completed, we were set to hit the trail.

The hike started with an 1100 foot climb, and it definitely had us shedding layers before long. The temps were probably in the high 30s to mid 40s through much of the day and made those hills a little more bearable.

After making it to the top of Blue Mountain, we headed to Chattahoochee Gap...downhill for the most part, but with a few good little uphills thrown in. This section was fun because we could see the Brasstown Bald tower through the trees to to the north. It looked so far away and it was fun to think that we were going to walk all the way over and up to that peak in the distance.

At Chattahoochee Gap, some of us hiked down to see the headwaters and original spring of the the river of the same name. However instead of a running spring, we only found dripping icicles. We still were able to "step over the Chattahoochee river" though and it was a good short little side trip.

After a long lunch, we left the AT and headed north on the Jacks Knob Trail. This trail is always best when the leaves are off the trees and you get winter views, and we enjoyed those of the mountains and valleys to the west.

Down at Jack's Gap, we crossed over the road, paused for yet another group pic and then headed up the steepest part of the trail. This last climb was definitely challenging, and just felt-never ending. It felt good to push yourself hard up this section of trail and earn the views that would come later.

We emerged one by one at the Brasstown Bald parking lot and then headed up the paved Brasstown Bald trail for our last climb of the day. This one was only 400 feet, but racing up it to beat the sun going down made it feel much more strenuous.

We did make it to the top about 10 min before the sunset and marveled at the 360 degree panoramic views that are suprisingly breathtaking each and every time time one returns to this spot. The sun was low in the sky and the contrast of the light and shadows on the surrounding mountains made them even more majestic (see pics).

After taking another group photo, we watched the sun slowly drop into and then dip below the horizon. Somehow watching a sunset or sunrise just never gets old. The temperature dropped quickly and after a few more photos, we headed down and back to the cars.

On the drive back we stopped for pizza near Cleveland. An all-you-can-eat buffet is definitely a good deal for those who have just finished hiking hours on the trail. We all got our money's worth...and then some. Our appetities satiated and energies replinished, we then headed home to end a very full but satisfying day.

Pics

Cliff's Pics

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