Dismal Cove, Stroud Branch, Ramp Cove, and Georgia’s 10th Highest Peak - Double Spring Knob

Summary:

Join me for a special hike that will take us through one of Georgia's unique ecosystems to Double Spring Knob (aka Kelly Mtn). Double Spring Knob peaks at 4,280 feet and is Georgia's 10^th highest peak (7^th depending on the prominence criteria). To its west, lie some unique ecosystems in the northern facing coves. One of these coves, Ramp Cove, contains the greatest stand of mature Buckeye trees in the southeast - some of these giants reaching nearly 150 feet tall. If we're lucky we will catch these trees, and many others, in their colorful fall foliage.

Details:

Our hike will begin in the lower reaches of Dismal Cove. We will hike up Dismal Creek and then branch off and head up a route along Stroud Creek - a beautiful high elevation mountain creek cascading down over mossy rocks, with a few waterfalls. The upper reaches of this cove have some interesting rock formations and a boulder field. We will continue up some extremely steep terrain over rocks and boulders, gaining another 400 feet in elevation in only 2/10ths of a mile, until reaching Kelly Ridge. We'll then continue upwards along Kelly Ridge another half mile until we reach the summit of Double Spring Knob. After bagging this peak, we'll start back down Kelly Ridge and take a little side trip to Buzzard Knob, where there's a cliff that should give us some clear views to the south of Tray Mtn, Brier Creek Bald, Rocky Mtn, and some others. After taking in some views, we'll head back up to the ridge and then over to Ramp Gap, where we'll begin the trek down into Ramp Cove. As mentioned above, Ramp Cove has a stand of some of the most impressive Yellow Buckeyes in the southeast and we'll pass by many of them while following a mountain stream. If possible, and we have enough energy left, we'll try to locate a waterfall along the way - I heard this waterfall the last time I was up there, but didn't have time to attempt to locate it in the rugged terrain. We'll continue down the stream until we arrive back at the vehicles.

Note: This hike is about 7 miles and has about 2,400 feet of ascent. Approximately half of this hike is along very old logging roads, which have dead-falls in places, and half of it is completely off-trail with some very rugged and steep sections. There are also a couple creek crossings that will more than likely require removing shoes/boots to cross. If you don't like off-trail hiking, don't have good balance, don't like dealing with some obstacles, or don't have a sense of adventure, then this hike probably isn't for you.

Will be provided at carpool