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Kelly Knob from Dicks Creek Gap on the AT (bagging a 4000 footer)




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, near Hiawassee   Hike: Kelly Knob from Dicks Creek Gap on the AT (bagging a 4000 footer)  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Tue, Nov 9 2021  9:00 am >> Tue, Nov 9 2021 4:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Nov 3 2021 6:32 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Nov 9 2021 9:00 am
Event Duration:7 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced
Distance:15 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Gary 'L'
Leigh B
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

 Anyone on the roster without recent D6 experience should expect an email from the Trip Leaders to inquire about suitability for the hiker.  Our desire is to keep the group togther during the hike .

Elevation Profile Overview

From Dick's Creek Gap we climb about 1200 ft to a sidetrail leading to our first lookout, signposted "Vista."

Returning to the trail we make an undulating descent to Deep Gap and then climb 600 ft to Kelly Knob  where we have a wide view to the east.

We then descend about five minutes to a third lookout, where we can pause a moment to take in the wide view to the west, before continuing our descent to Addis Gap.

After a total of 7.5 miles, we reach the Swag of the Blue Ridge where we have lunch and then turn around and it's back the way we came. 

Mileage: 15 miles

Elevation Gain:  4767 feet

Total Grade:  602 feet/mile

Commentary

We are completing half of the section between Dicks Creek Gap and Unicoi Gap which contains the 4000 footer "quadruple crown" of the Georgia AT -- Kelly Knob, Tray Mtn, Rocky Mtn, and Blue Mtn.

This section contains some of the longest climbs and highest peaks of the AT in Georgia.

For this hike, we will tackle Kelly Knob which we have found to be the hardest (yet loved) hill on the Georgia AT. 

Kelly is the highest peak between the North Carolina line and Tray Mtn.

The elevation difference between Dicks Creek Gap 2675 feet and the 4276 summit of Kelly Knob is 1601 feet.

Along the way, we also climb Snake Mtn, Powell Mtn, and Dismal Mountain.

We will also enter into one of the highlights of this section, the Swag of the Blue Ridge, a long ridgewalk.  

Logistics

Potential rest stops include the Moreland Gap campsite at mile 1.2, Deep Gap shelter at mile 3.6, Addis Gap campsite at mile 5.4, and Sassafras Gap campsite at mile 6.3.  

Our rest stops including lunch will be as brief as possible to complete the trek in 7 hours .

Sadly, we won't have time to head over to Young Lick Knob (would have been mile 8.7 but hopefully you will be satisfied with knowing you visited Dicks Creek Gap and Kelly Knob.

 

 


Required Items to Bring:

3 bottles of water
broken-in hiking boots
shoes (and a bag in which to place your dirty hiking boots)

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

dry shirt
lunch
hiking poles


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Link for the trailhead location (Dicks Creek Gap): 

https://goo.gl/maps/K2J1X8cDW16DaKVk7

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):208Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $83.20 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:

If you have not recently completed a D4 or D5 hike with the AOC, I will contact you to determine whether this hike is a good fit for you.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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