Dick’s Creek Gap to Addis Gap on the AT

This hike goes through spacious woods and features two!! panoramic views, one to the east and one to the west, as well as almost continuous winter views along the trail.

From Dick's Creek Gap we climb about 1200 ft to a side trail leading to our first lookout, called "Vista." Returning to the trail we make an undulating descent to Deep Gap and then climb 600 ft to Kelly Knob (aka Double Spring). Here we have a grand view to the east. We then descend about five minutes to a lookout affording a grand view to the west, where we can pause for a moment to feast our eyes before descending to Addis Gap, our turn-around point. Now we climb right back up to that same lookout (800 ft) and have lunch. Then it's back the way we came. Total distance is 11 miles and total elevation gain is somewhere over 3000 ft. The photo, taken from Blue Mtn, shows the two peaks of Kelly's Knob, the official summit on the left and the slightly lower one on the right, which is where we cross the mountain.

I expect to start hiking at about 10:30 and to be off the trail by 5:00 at the latest. We'll have dinner in Clayton afterwards. Anyone who cannot stay for dinner should carpool with like-minded hikers or drive on their own to the Clayton Ingles ("meet at event"), where they can join the second carpool. Parking is limited at the trailhead, which is why the "meet at event" is at the Ingles.

Please outfit yourselves for winter. Take more clothing than you think you will need. I strongly recommend you stuff into your daypack a warm jacket, down, if you have one, to put on for when we stop for lunch or in an emergency. You might also want to bring a spare dry shirt for changing into during the hike, if necessary. The trail could be icy or snowy in spots, so come prepared.

Mike will coordinate the carpool at the Indian Trail Park and Ride. I as well as anyone else "meeting at event" will join the group at the Clayton Ingles at 9:15.

From Indian Trail park-and-ride, take I-85 North. After 11 miles bear left to take I-985 North. This road will change to GA 365, US 441, and US 23. Stay on it for 75 miles, then stop at the Ingles in Clayton. From Clayton we take Hwy 76 west for 30 minutes to the parking area at Dick's Creek Gap. All driving is on paved roads.

Because this is a D5 event, if you have not recently completed some tough AOC hikes, I may be contacting you to determine your level of fitness and experience to make sure this is the right hike for you.