2018-08-12 GA-AT 7 of 8 Dicks Creek Gap to Young Lick Knob & back

We section hike the entire Appalachian Trail (AT) in Georgia in 8 trips. We go from Springer Mountain all the way to GA/NC border.

Each trip is an out and back going both AT North Bound (NoBo) and South Bound (SoBo) directions without any special car arrangement. No car shuttle and no key swap. We want to enjoy hiking AT both ways.

When we’re done, we have completed the entire AT in GA twice in both NoBo and SoBo directions. We have climbed twice amount of elevation gain both ways. That’s right, we leave no hill un-climbed!!

GA 7 of 8: Dicks Creek Gap to Young Lick Knob & back

<<< Distance and Ascent >>>

The GA AT section from Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap is 16.5 miles with 4,824 feet elevation gain and 5,104 feet elevation loss. These measurements are provided by Georgia Appalachian Trail Club.

Our section hike goes both NoBo and SoBo directions. We will trek 33 (16.5x2) miles with a total elevation gain of 9,928 (4,824+5,104) feet from 2 sections, i.e. our GA sections 6 and 7.

GA section 7: Dicks Creek Gap to Young Lick Knob & back. The round trip distance is 17 miles with a total elevation gain of approx. 4,964 feet.

<<< The Hike >>>

We start from the Dicks Creek Gap parking lot at 2,675 feet going AT SoBo. We’ll pass Deep Gap Shelter after 3.3 miles. We’ll have very steep climb to Kelly Knob summit standing at 4,276 feet after 4.2 miles, and steep descent to Addis Gap at 3,304 feet after 5.3 miles. We’ll pass Sassafras Gap after 6.1 miles, and reach Blue Ridge Swag after 7.2 miles.

Then we’ll have gradual ascent to our turning point after 8.5 miles, the Young Lick Knob along a grassy and almost level ridgetop. We’ll find a comfortable spot to take our lunch break. After lunch we’ll retrace and hike the AT NoBo to get back to our cars.

You’ll be really surprised that our turning point, the Young Lick Knob with its not so prominent appearance is recognized as the southern terminus of the ECD (Eastern Continental Divide). At this point it becomes a “triple divide:” on the northeastern flank of the Knob waters flow into the Chattooga-Savannah rivers and the Atlantic; on the southeastern flank waters flow into the Chattahoochee-Apalachicola rivers and directly into the Gulf of Mexico; and on the western flank waters flow into the Hiwassee-Tennessee-Ohio-Mississippi rivers and thereby eventually to the Gulf.

<<< Important Notes >>>

The event duration does NOT include our travelling/ driving time. If you're going to meet at the event, please arrive 10 minutes before our starting time. Our duration time is an educated estimate, so we need to have some flexibility.

This event is physically challenging and rewarding! You can fully enjoy it IF AND ONLY IF you have good fitness and endurance. Please only register if you are comfortable hiking long distance at a pace of 2.5 mph in the remote mountains environment, and have recent D5/D6 experience.

We’ll move at a moderate pace of 2.5 mph on average over the entire course, i.e. 2.5- on ups and 2.5+ on flats and downs. Everyone is expected to keep up with the group. Please be honest to yourself and only register if you’re comfortable at this pace the entire trip.

If your recent experience is not from the club, please include it in a note when you register, or email TL; otherwise you will be moved to the waiting list for the safety of everyone. We encourage our members to actively participate with joyful experience, and most importantly to stay healthy and safe at the end of our trip.

Take I-85 N/ I-985 N and US-23 N to Clayton GA. Turn left onto US-76, and go 15.8 miles to arrive Dicks Creek Gap parking lot.

1. This event may be cancelled or rescheduled if weather conditions are not satisfactory for an enjoyable outing.

2. Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.