Sunday Hikes the Entire GA Appalachian Trail Series-Week 4 - Sun, Sep 21 2014

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Sunday Hikes the Entire GA Appalachian Trail Series-Week 4


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest Neel Gap to Hogpen Gap section   Hike: Sunday Hikes the Entire GA Appalachian Trail Series-Week 4  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Sep 21 2014  9:00 am >> Sun, Sep 21 2014 7:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 9:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Sep 15 2014 6:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Sep 20 2014 10:00 pm
Event Duration:10 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:14.6 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Victor
Joyce T.
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Are You Ready For Another Fun and challenging Sunday on the AT?

This is the forth of series of day hikes that will cover entire GA Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain to just past NC border to Bly Gap.

Week 1: Springer Mtn to Hightower Gap ~ 11 miles and over 1000' Ascent  completed on 8/31/14

Week 2: Hightower Gap to Woody Gap   ~ 12 miles and 3000' Ascent  Completed on 9/7/2014

Week 3: Woody Gap to Neel Gap           ~ 11.5 miles and 2700' Ascent  Completed on 9/14/14

Week 4: Neel Gap to Hogpen Gap and back  ~ 14.6 miles and 4000' Ascent ( no shuttle )

Week 5: Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap         ~ 14.5 Miles and 2500' Ascent

Week 6: Unicoi Gap to Tray Mountain and back ~ 11 miles and 3500 Ascent ( no shuttle, subject to change)

Week 7: Tray Gap to Dicks Creek Gap ~ 12.5 Miles ( subject to change)

Week 8: Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap and back ~ 18 miles ( Celebration dinner and badge ceremony for those that complete all 8 events and are willing to pay $5 so I can order badges from GA Appalachian Trail Club- Victor )

Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap

Because this section is only 6.4 miles, we will save the inconvenience of a car shuttle and also make it more challenging by doing it as an “out and back” hike. We will begin at the Byron Reece parking area and walk the .6 miles along the road to get to Neels Gap (3109') and the Walasi-Yi Center…the only building on the entire AT that the trail actually passes through. 

From there, we will step back onto the AT, headed east and enter the Raven Cliffs Wilderness. We start off with the biggest climb of the day…up about 800' over 1.5 miles to Levelland Mtn (3942’). From there we descend to Swaim Gap and a number of smaller climbs and rolling terrain that will eventually take us to Cowrock Mtn (3842’) at about 4.7 mi. We will take a break here to enjoy the views before decending about 700 ft. to Tesnatee Gap (3138’) at 5.5 mi. 

Before proceeding to Hogpen Gap, we will take the Whitley Gap side trail .3 mi to Wildcat Mtn (3760') and have lunch here while enjoying the views. Then we will proceed to Hogpen Gap and turn around and retrace our steps on the AT back to Neels Gap…another .6 miles to the cars and then home. 

Mileage breakdown:
- Parking to Neels Gap: .6 mi
- Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap: 6.4 mi
- Whitley Gap trail to Wildcat Mtn (r/t): .6 mi
- Hogpen Gap to Neels Gap: 6.4 mi
- Neels Gap to parking: .6 mi

Total distance: ~14.6 mi.
Total ascent: ~4000+ feet. 

The information above about our hike is copied from Tony C 's previous hike. Thanks Tony. 

PLEASE NOTE: I LIKE EVERYONE TO STAY TOGETHER IN THIS HIKE. FAST HIKERS ARE WELCOME BUT MUST STAY WITH THE GROUP, SLOW HIKERS MUST BE ABLE TO HIKE 2.5 MILES AN HOUR. THIS HIKE IS DESIGNED FOR MODERATE SPEED HIKERS.


Required Items to Bring:

2 liters of water

Trail snacks and lunch

Hiking boots or trail shoes

Rain coat just in case

 

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

Trekking Pole

Camera


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Neels Gap Physical address:

12471 Gainesville HWY, Blairsville GA 30512

 

 

 

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):125Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 9:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $50.00 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:

Sunday


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