Dayhike the GA AT - Section 3: Woody Gap to Neels Gap - Sat, Jan 24 2009

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Dayhike the GA AT - Section 3: Woody Gap to Neels Gap


The Basics:
Event Type:Explorer
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jan 24 2009  10:45 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 11:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sun, Jan 18 2009 11:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Jan 22 2009 8:00 pm
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Tony C
Ed Doran
Jennifer Rush
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
This is third in a series of dayhikes that cover the entire Georgia portion of the Appalachian trail...from Springer Mtn to Bly Gap, just past the NC state line.

For details on the other hikes in the series, visit the AOC forums...

Dayhike the GA AT thread

...or just watch the AOC calendar. We hope to get through them all by mid-April.

Section 3: Woody Gap to Neels Gap

We are going to mix it up a bit on this hike and try to time it so we can view the sunset from Blood Mtn, the highest peak on the Georgia AT. This is weather permitting of course. This being a point-to-point hike, we will begin by shuttling cars...dropping some vehicles off near Neels Gap and taking the remaining ones to Woody Gap. Once that bit of logistics is taken care of, we are stepping back onto the AT, headed northeast from Woody Gap (3160').

We start with a 550+ foot climb over 1.3 mi to near the top of Big Cedar Mtn (3732')...soon we come to our first side trail.. to Preaching Rock, where we will enjoy views to the southeast. Further down the AT, we will pass the Dockery Lake Trail and soon reach the low elev. point of this section at near 2900'.

Over the next five miles, we pass through Jarrad Gap and a side trail that heads north to Lake Winfield Scott. If time permits, we will take this side trail and have lunch by the lake.

But from here, we climb roughly 1500' to the summit of Blood Mtn at 4458' at mile 8.3.. At the summit, we will enjoy views to the west and check out the historic shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1934.

After the sunset, we will then start heading down. We'll take our time because it will be getting dark, but this section of trail will be easy to follow. We will descend about 1000' in 1.5 mi to Flatrock Gap where the Freeman trail snakes of to the right.

Continuing down the AT for about another mile, will emerge at Neels Gap. We will then walk down the road to the parking area. From here, we will return to Woody Gap to pick up the other cars, and head home

Mileage breakdown:
- Woody Gap to Neels Gap: 10.7 mi
Total distance: ~10.7 miles.
Total ascent: ~2700+ feet.

Click on elevation profile for larger version:

PLEASE NOTE:
  • If rain is forecast, the hike will be rescheduled for a future date (hopefully within two weeks). If cloudy/overcast skies are forecast, we'll move the start time up a couple of hours, so we won't have to finish in the dark for no reason.
  • Because this a mountainous D5 hike in the winter, this event is for advanced hikers only. We are going to keep a fairly quick pace...at least 2.5mph avg. So if you have not have recently completed some AOC D5 hikes, I will be contacting you to determine your level of experience and if this is the right hike for you.

    • Required Items to Bring:
  • emergency rain gear (even if chance of rain is minimal)
  • headlamp or flashlight
  • water & food
  • hiking boots or trail shoes
    		• Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • trekking poles
  • camera

    • How to Get There:
    Event Directions:From Dahlonega, take Hwy 60 north. At Stonepile gap, bear right, staying on 19/129. Proceed 13.6 miles and turn left into the Byron Herbert Reese parking area.
    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):160Mile(s)
    Carpool Departure Time: 11:00 am
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $64.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

    Notes:
    * We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

    Cost Includes:NA

    Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
    *Note: NA