2018-09-30 GA-AT 8 of 8 Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap/NC & 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 8 of 8: Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap/NC & back

<<< Distance and Ascent >>>

Our GA section 8: Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap/NC & back. The round trip distance is 18 miles with a total elevation gain of 5,313 feet. These measurements are provided by Georgia Appalachian Trail Club.

<<< The Hike >>>

We start from the Dicks Creek Gap parking lot at 2,675 feet going AT NoBo. We’ll pass Cowart Gap after 1.8 miles. We’ll have very steep climb and a short decent to Bull Gap after 3.3 miles. After a steep descent of about 1 mile, then we’ll go over the next hill to Blue Ridge after 5.8 miles. Then, we’ll have steady climb for most of the rest before reaching Bly Gap after 9 miles in North Carolina. We’ll find a comfortable spot to take our lunch break. After lunch we’ll retrace and hike the AT SoBo to get back to our cars.

<<< Important Notes >>>

The event duration does NOT include our travelling/ driving time. If you're going to meet at the event, please arrive 15 minutes before our starting time. We’ll start earlier if we’re all there 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.