AT Segment : Dicks Creek Gap to State Border/ Bly Gap

WITH THE FINISH OF THIS HIKE, LEIGH B FINALLY COMPLETES THE ENTIRE 85 MILE GEORGIA PORTION OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL THERE AND BACK. THIS IS GARY'S GOAL.

VERY RECENT D6 EXPERIENCE IS A MUST TO  JOIN THE FUN

Hiker qualifying:  Views vary on what is fast so let us just say that we expect an average pace of 2.7 mph. Adding a 20 to 30 minute lunch will have us at our cars on time. Trip Leaders are committed to keeping the group together hiking at the same pace. After registration, trip leaders will look at the recent hikes within the club for each individual. If there is not recent experience matching that of the hike, please expect an email with questions that allow the trip leaders to determine suitability to stay on the roster. This procedure is the same for every hike we lead and every member that signs up. Once we have acsertained your level of fitness if you hike with us, you may not need to be vetted for future hikes. 

This hike is short on the large mountain climbs but long on the number of knobs to scale (6 of them times two with both directions).  We think of it as the roller coaster of the Georgia AT.

Elevation Gain:  4551 feet so clearly a strong D6 in terms of climbs, mileage, and pace. 

Bly Gap:  The highlight of this section is Bly Gap, at the northern end, with its views of the western North Carolina mountains.  The section also features views of the imposing Standing Indian Mountain (5498 feet), as well as the Nantahala mountains in North Carolina.  The isolated peak of Hightower Bald (4568 feet and Georgia's 4th highest) is conspicuous to the northwest.  

Overall:  This segment generally follows the crest of the Blue Ridge, ascending and descending through a number of gaps in the ridge.   High points include As Knob, Buzzard Knob, and Little Bald Knob.  

Here is a rundown of waypoints with elevations and mileage into the trek along with our knob count:

0.0 Dicks Creek Gap (2675) NORTHBOUND through picnic area, 1.1 Little Bald Knob (3160) #1, 1.8 Cowart Gap (2920) stand of tall pine trees, 2.9 slope of Buzzard Knob fine views #2, 3.3 Bull Gap (3550), 4.5 Plumorchard Gap (3090) shelter, 5.2 As Knob (3440) #3, 5.8 Blue Ridge Gap (3020), 6.8 west side of Wheeler Knob (3560) #4, 8.1 Rich Cove Gap (3400) with views of Hightower Bald and Dick's Knob (4620 and Georgia's 3rd highest) , 8.4 rock outcrop with fine views near Rocky Knob (3570) #5, 8.9 state border and Rich Knob (3927) #6, 9.0 Bly Gap (3840) and the iconic twisted tree

There is no carpool for this hike as we may have hikers wanting to enjoy dinner and lodging in Blairsville or Hiawassee. We can consider adding a car pool after sign up. 

GPS Coordinates:

34.912267, -83.618832

Google Maps: 

https://goo.gl/maps/fkmjz7n3hcJYkFrf6

 There is no carpool for this hike as we may have hikers wanting to enjoy dinner and lodging in Blairsville or Hiawassee. 

Free parking