Dick’s Creek Gap to Addis Gap on the Georgia AT (bagging a 4000 footer) - Thu, Sep 3 2020

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Dick’s Creek Gap to Addis Gap on the Georgia AT (bagging a 4000 footer)


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, near Hiawassee   Hike: Dick’s Creek Gap to Addis Gap on the Georgia AT (bagging a 4000 footer)  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Sep 3 2020  8:30 am >> Thu, Sep 3 2020 2:30 pm
Registration Opens: Sun, Aug 30 2020 6:06 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Sep 2 2020 6:06 pm
Event Duration:6 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Distance:14.8 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Gary 'L'
Leigh B
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:9
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Overview

From Dick's Creek Gap we climb about 1200 ft to a sidetrail leading to our first lookout, signposted "Vista."

Returning to the trail we make an undulating descent to Deep Gap and then climb 600 ft to Kelly Knob  where we have a wide view to the east.

We then descend about five minutes to a third lookout, where we can pause a moment to take in the wide view to the west, before continuing our descent to Addis Gap.

After a total of 7.4 miles, we turn around and it's back the way we came. 

Mileage: 14.8 miles

Elevation Gain:  4153 feet

Total Grade:  11.5%

Commentary

We are completing half of the section between Dicks Creek Gap and Unicoi Gap which contains the 4000 footer "quadruple crown" of the Georgia AT -- Kelly Knob, Tray Mtn, Rocky Mtn, and Blue Mtn.

If there is any cool Georgia weather in early September, it may be here.  This section contains some of the longest climbs and highest peaks of the AT in Georgia.

We will tackle Kelly Knob which I have found to be the hardest hill on the Georgia AT during the northbound hike. 

Kelly is the highest peak between the North Carolina line and Tray Mtn.

The elevation difference between Dicks Creek Gap 2675 feet and the 4276 summit of Kelly Knob is 1601 feet.

Along the way, we also climb Snake Mtn, Powell Mtn, and Dismal Mountain.

We will also enter into one of the highlights of this section, the Swag of the Blue Ridge, a long ridgewalk.  

Logistics

Potential rest stops include the Moreland Gap campsite at mile 1.2, Deep Gap shelter at mile 3.6, Addis Gap campsite at mile 5.4, and Sassafras Gap campsite at mile 6.3.  

Our rest stops including lunch will be as brief as possible to complete the trek in 6 hours -- that is, if we maintain an average moving speed of 2.8 mph.

Sadly, we won't have time to head over to Young Lick Knob (would have been mile 8.7 but hopefully you will be satisfied with knowing you visited Dicks Creek Gap and Kelly Knob.

 

 


Required Items to Bring:

3 bottles of water
broken-in hiking boots
shoes (and a bag in which to place your dirty hiking boots)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

dry shirt
lunch
hiking poles


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

take I-85 North

bear left to tkae I-985 North.

This road will change to GA 365, US 441, and US 23. Stay on it for 75 miles,

then have your pit stop at the Ingles in Clayton.

From Clayton, it is another 30 minutes on Hwy 76 west to the trailhead.

https://goo.gl/maps/K2J1X8cDW16DaKVk7


Notes:

If you have not recently completed a D4 or D5 hike with the AOC, I will contact you to determine whether this hike is a good fit for you.


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


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