Springer Mountain to Unicoi Gap
This was my first multiple night section hike of the AT. I had a three day weekend due to Labor Day. I also took Friday off to give me a 4 day weekend. I was very excited. I had just finished getting all my gear. Thursday, I left work a little early, and I headed up to Hiker's Hostel in Dahlonega where I would spend the night and get a shuttle to Springer Mountain in the morning. I would recommend the Hiker's Hostel to anyone considering hiking the AT. They were absolutely great.
In the morning they fed us this amazing breakfast and took us Springer Mountain for a very reasonable fee. The shuttle fee was split with three other hikers. I think my room fee and my shuttle fee came to about $35. After breakfast, off we went.
In the morning they fed us this amazing breakfast and took us Springer Mountain for a very reasonable fee. The shuttle fee was split with three other hikers. I think my room fee and my shuttle fee came to about $35. After breakfast, off we went.
Day 1 | Friday, August 29, 2014
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Start Location: Springer Mountain (0.0 miles)
End Location: Gooch Gap Shelter (15.8 miles) Parking Location: Hightower Gap (8.6 miles); Cooper Gap (12.3 miles). Views: Springer Mountain, BMT southern terminus (0.2 miles), and Long Creek Falls (5.2 miles). Water Sources: Several for first 5 miles; Hawk Mountain Shelter (8.1 miles), Justus Creek (14.4 miles), Black Creek (15.5 miles), and Gooch Mountain Shelter (15.8 miles). Campsites: Springer Mountain Shelter (0.2 miles), Stover Creek Shelter (2.8 miles), Long Creek Falls (5.2 miles), Hawk Mountain Shelter (8.1 miles), Cooper Gap (12.3 miles), Justus Creek (14.4 miles), Black Creek (15.5 miles), and Gooch Mountain Shelter (15.8 miles). AT Distance: 15.8 miles Hiking Distance: 17 miles |
Our
hike began at the Springer Mountain parking lot at around 9:45 am. We
hiked the 0.9 miles back to the summit of Springer Mountain. From
here, we started the AT!!!
I have done large portions of the first 30 miles of the AT as day hikes before. I had done the Springer Mountain Loop and the Springer Mountain to Long Creek Falls.
Almost immediately after leaving Springer, I came across the sign for Springer Mountain Shelter. Shortly thereafter, I reached the Southern Terminus of the Benton MacKaye Trail.
The AT intersects the BMT trail at 2 miles into the hike. The trail than crosses at least two footbridges until it reaches Three Forks at 4.2 miles. Here the BMT intersects and joins the AT for the next mile until Long Creek Falls at 5.2 miles. This section of the AT is very easy and constantly descends until you reach Long Creek Falls. We resupplied our water here and took our time to enjoy the waterfall. This was going to be the last attraction for the day.
At Long Creek Falls, the AT and BMT diverge. For the next three miles after leaving Long Creek Falls, we began a slight ascent of approximately 400 feet. At 8.1 miles, we reached Hawk Mountain Shelter. We resupplied water here at the creek behind the shelter, and we also ate lunch.
I had never hiked between Hawk Mt Shelter and Justus Mt so that was a great experience on day 1. After leaving Horse Gap (10.5 miles), we began our first "real" climb up Sassafras Mountain (11.5 miles), which involved an elevation gain of approximately 700 feet over about a mile. From Sassafras Mt. we began our descent to Cooper Gap (12.3 miles). I have had a history of blister problems and had to stop at Cooper Gap to switch socks and redo the mole skin I had done in the morning.
Immediately leaving Cooper Gap there is a very small climb to Justus Mountain (12.8 miles). From Justus Mountain, it was pretty much all down hill until we arrived at Gooch Mt. Shelter. We arrived to shelter pretty early. I had plenty of time to resupply water, set up camp, cook food, etc before night. Despite all the time we still had, I was surprised by how long it takes to to set up camp. I need to develop a system. I slept in a tent night 1.
I have done large portions of the first 30 miles of the AT as day hikes before. I had done the Springer Mountain Loop and the Springer Mountain to Long Creek Falls.
Almost immediately after leaving Springer, I came across the sign for Springer Mountain Shelter. Shortly thereafter, I reached the Southern Terminus of the Benton MacKaye Trail.
The AT intersects the BMT trail at 2 miles into the hike. The trail than crosses at least two footbridges until it reaches Three Forks at 4.2 miles. Here the BMT intersects and joins the AT for the next mile until Long Creek Falls at 5.2 miles. This section of the AT is very easy and constantly descends until you reach Long Creek Falls. We resupplied our water here and took our time to enjoy the waterfall. This was going to be the last attraction for the day.
At Long Creek Falls, the AT and BMT diverge. For the next three miles after leaving Long Creek Falls, we began a slight ascent of approximately 400 feet. At 8.1 miles, we reached Hawk Mountain Shelter. We resupplied water here at the creek behind the shelter, and we also ate lunch.
I had never hiked between Hawk Mt Shelter and Justus Mt so that was a great experience on day 1. After leaving Horse Gap (10.5 miles), we began our first "real" climb up Sassafras Mountain (11.5 miles), which involved an elevation gain of approximately 700 feet over about a mile. From Sassafras Mt. we began our descent to Cooper Gap (12.3 miles). I have had a history of blister problems and had to stop at Cooper Gap to switch socks and redo the mole skin I had done in the morning.
Immediately leaving Cooper Gap there is a very small climb to Justus Mountain (12.8 miles). From Justus Mountain, it was pretty much all down hill until we arrived at Gooch Mt. Shelter. We arrived to shelter pretty early. I had plenty of time to resupply water, set up camp, cook food, etc before night. Despite all the time we still had, I was surprised by how long it takes to to set up camp. I need to develop a system. I slept in a tent night 1.
Day 2 | Saturday August 30, 2014
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Start Location: Gooch Gap Shelter (15.8 miles)
End Location: Mountain Crossing Hostel (31.7 miles) Parking Location: Gooch Gap (17.2 miles); Woody Gap (21.0 miles), Byron Reece 0.7 side trail to large parking lot (31.7 miles). No parking at Neel Gap. Parking lot 1/4 a mile past Neel Gap. Views: Ramrock Mt (19.0 miles), Woody Gap S (21.0 miles), Preaching Rock (21.8 miles, Big Ceder Mt (22.1 miles), Blood Mountain Summit (29.3 miles) and Neel Gap view (31.7 miles). Water Sources: Gooch Gap Shelter (15.8 miles); Woody Gap S (21.0 miles); Lance Creek (24.3 miles); Slaughter Creek (28.5 miles); Mountain Crossing spicket (31.7 miles). Campsites: Gooch Mountain Shelter (15.8 miles), Gooch Gap (17.2 miles); Preaching Rock (21.8 miles); several campsites over next mile; Lance Creek (24.3 miles); Woods Hole Shelter (28.2 miles); Slaughter Creek (28.5 miles); Blood Mountain Shelter (29.3 miles); (17.2 miles); and Mountain Crossing Hostel (31.7 miles) ($17 for a bunk, towel, and shower, $3 for laundry). Highly recommended. AT Distance: 15.9 miles Hiking Distance: 16.2 miles. |
The next morning (Saturday), we started getting up around 6:45 am. It
surprised how long it took me to break camp. It took me longer than everyone else and I didn't even have to boil water for my breakfast. I also had to go through my 20
minute ritual of redoing the moleskin on my feet and put on new socks. I brought 9 pairs of socks (which I caught some flack for) but
I used 8 pairs of them. I was the last to break camp. Supersonic was
kind enough to wait for me and we broke camp around 8.
Ramrock Mt was the first big highlight of the day. After leaving Gooch Gap Shelter, the trail largely ascends until it reaches Ramrock Mt at 19.0 miles. Shortly therefore, we reached Woody Gap at 21 miles. There is a view to the south before you cross GA-60. Apparently, there is water at Woody Gap, but I have yet to find it.
Leaving Woody Gap, we began our approximately 500 foot ascent to Preaching Rock (21.8 miles) followed almost immediately by Big Ceder Mountain (22.1 miles), the first truly stunning view since Springer Mountain. There is a side trail that is lightly blue blazed to an amazing view about a 1/2 mile from Big Ceder Mt. This location would also prove to be an amazing campsite. From here, it is a constant descent passed Dockery lake side trail (23.9) until we reached Lance Creek, which has a large camping area. We resupplied water here and grabbed a quick lunch. On this trip, my breakfasts and lunches were exclusively clif bars. On day three, I paid for that. I decided against changing my socks here, which was another decision I would come to regret as I made my way down Blood Mountain.
After leaving Lance Creek, we began our nearly 1,600 foot ascent up to the summit of Blood Mt, which is very gradual until you reach Slaughter Creek Trail (28.5 miles). This was the last water source until I reached the hostel. I refilled my water and grabbed another clif bar. I packed up and started to make my way up Blood Mountain. I had hiked Blood Mt more times that I could count; however, this was the first time I climbed it from the South. I always heard how difficult it was, but the climb wasn't that bad at all. The summit of Blood Mountain (29.3 miles) was as stunning as ever. Blood Mountain is the tallest mountain on the Georgia portion of the AT with an elevation of 4,461 and offers some stunning panorama views.
After spending 15 minutes on the summit, it was time to make my way down the mountain. Here, I came to regret not eating enough food and, more importantly, not changing my socks at Lance Creek. The downhill was brutal on my feet. My socks were completely drenched in sweat. My moleskin was no longer where it should have been. It was a rough experience. However, I knew at Neel Gap there was a bunk waiting for me with a hot shower and some clean laundry. I arrived at Neel Gap around 5pm.
The very first thing I did after paying for the bunk was taking off my shoes and socks to survey the damage. It was pretty bad. People who saw my feet couldn't believe they were that bad after only two days. They were more surprised that I planned to keep hiking.
I had hiked Woody Gap to Neel Gap before, but tomorrow started a new day. I had never hiked a single foot of the AT going north passed Neel Gap. I couldn't wait.
Ramrock Mt was the first big highlight of the day. After leaving Gooch Gap Shelter, the trail largely ascends until it reaches Ramrock Mt at 19.0 miles. Shortly therefore, we reached Woody Gap at 21 miles. There is a view to the south before you cross GA-60. Apparently, there is water at Woody Gap, but I have yet to find it.
Leaving Woody Gap, we began our approximately 500 foot ascent to Preaching Rock (21.8 miles) followed almost immediately by Big Ceder Mountain (22.1 miles), the first truly stunning view since Springer Mountain. There is a side trail that is lightly blue blazed to an amazing view about a 1/2 mile from Big Ceder Mt. This location would also prove to be an amazing campsite. From here, it is a constant descent passed Dockery lake side trail (23.9) until we reached Lance Creek, which has a large camping area. We resupplied water here and grabbed a quick lunch. On this trip, my breakfasts and lunches were exclusively clif bars. On day three, I paid for that. I decided against changing my socks here, which was another decision I would come to regret as I made my way down Blood Mountain.
After leaving Lance Creek, we began our nearly 1,600 foot ascent up to the summit of Blood Mt, which is very gradual until you reach Slaughter Creek Trail (28.5 miles). This was the last water source until I reached the hostel. I refilled my water and grabbed another clif bar. I packed up and started to make my way up Blood Mountain. I had hiked Blood Mt more times that I could count; however, this was the first time I climbed it from the South. I always heard how difficult it was, but the climb wasn't that bad at all. The summit of Blood Mountain (29.3 miles) was as stunning as ever. Blood Mountain is the tallest mountain on the Georgia portion of the AT with an elevation of 4,461 and offers some stunning panorama views.
After spending 15 minutes on the summit, it was time to make my way down the mountain. Here, I came to regret not eating enough food and, more importantly, not changing my socks at Lance Creek. The downhill was brutal on my feet. My socks were completely drenched in sweat. My moleskin was no longer where it should have been. It was a rough experience. However, I knew at Neel Gap there was a bunk waiting for me with a hot shower and some clean laundry. I arrived at Neel Gap around 5pm.
The very first thing I did after paying for the bunk was taking off my shoes and socks to survey the damage. It was pretty bad. People who saw my feet couldn't believe they were that bad after only two days. They were more surprised that I planned to keep hiking.
I had hiked Woody Gap to Neel Gap before, but tomorrow started a new day. I had never hiked a single foot of the AT going north passed Neel Gap. I couldn't wait.
Day 3 | Sunday, August 31, 2014
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Start Location: Mountain Crossing Hostel (31.7 miles)
End Location: Low Gap Shelter (43.2 miles) Parking Location: Byron Reese 0.7 side trail to large parking lot (31.7 miles). No parking at Neel Gap. Parking lot 1/4 a mile past Neel Gap; Tesnatee Gap (37.7 miles); and Hogpen Gap (38.6 miles). Views: Neel Gap view (31.7 miles); Levelland Mountain view (33.4 miles); Wolf Laurel Top view (35.3 miles); Cowrock Mountain (36.7 miles); and Wildcat Mountain (38.2 miles). Water Sources: VERY DRY SECTION; Mountain Crossing spicket (31.7 miles); and Low Gap Shelter (43.2 miles). Campsites: Mountain Crossing Hostel (31.7 miles) ($17 for a bunk, towel, and shower, $3 for laundry). Highly recommended. Bull Gap (32.8 miles); Swaim Gap (34.6 miles); Wolf Laurel Top view (35.3 miles); Whitley Gap Shelter (1.5 miles off trail) (38.4 miles); several campsites to Low Gap Shelter (43.2 miles). AT Distance: 11.5 miles Hiking Distance: 18.9 miles. |
I was very excited about day 3. I had never taken a step passed Neel gap on AT going north. Also, it was supposed to be a very short 11 mile day. I was really looking forward to Wolf Laurel and Cowrock Mt. I couldn't wait. For breakfast, I had a single clif bar thinking I had ample time to stop on this short day.
Again, I was the last to break camp. Since I had never done this section, I was a little more camera happy then in the first 31 miles. I took a picture of the marker which shows you are entering Raven Cliff Wilderness. I thought I put my camera in my pocket and kept hiking for more than 3.5 miles. I didn't take a picture of Levelland Mt (33.4 miles) the first time because there simply was not a great view. This climb from Neel Gap to Levelland Mt was more difficult than it appeared. I pushed on passed Levelland and I got to Wolf Laurel Top. I wanted to snap a picture. I reached in my pocket and my camera was gone. Checked my other pocket--nope. It was gone.
It was a cheap camera, but I didn't want to lose the pictures I had taken the last two days so I decide to turn around. I go back all the way to Neel Gap constantly scanning the ground while still trying to go as fast as I could. I make it back in great time. I didn't find it on the trail. I went to the store and a boy scout and his father I had passed and talked to on the way up were kind enough pick it up and return it there.
After the excitement of finding my camera, I realized that I just took a 7+ mile detour. I was substantially behind the others. I start hiking back up. I made pretty good time to Cowrock Mt while using the anger of dropping my camera. I get to the summit of Cowrock Mt. (36.7 miles), and it is stunning. However, I am tired by this point. What was supposed to be a 5 mile hike to this point turned into a 12.2 mile hike. I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. I also am really, really dehydrated at this point. This section is very dry and I had been pushing it to the limit in an attempt to catch up. I decide not to eat because all the food I had was very dry, which wouldn't help me. Some day hikers told me that they ran into the others at Tesnatee Gap 1 1/2 hours ago. I was catching up, but exhausted. I had only done 12 miles so far that day, but I was really really pushing it and this section is very dry. Luckily, some day hikers gave me a liter of water. I would have been in trouble without it.
Despite being far behind the others, Cowrock Mt. is too amazing pass by. I had to stop and enjoy it even though I knew I was going to fall even farther behind. I thought to myself I had cut the distance that I was behind likely from 7.2 miles to 4. Maybe I can still catch up. After 15 minutes at Cowrock Mt, I start to make my way down to Tesnatee Gap (37.7 miles).
I wanted to stop, but I decided to keep pushing. The climb from Tesnatee Gap to Hogpen Gap was brutal at this stage of the game with no food all day, little water, and pushing so hard since I was so far behind. This climb sucked all remaining energy. On the way to Hogpen Gap, however, I was able to enjoy Wildcat Mt (38.2 miles) which offered a great view after a steep climb. I passed the sign for Whitley Gap Shelter (38.4 miles). Even if I wasn't behind schedule, I would not have stopped at this shelter. It is 1.5 miles off the AT. That is just crazy!
I began to make my descent down to Hogpen Gap (38.6 miles). I was forced to take a break at Hogpen Gap. I still hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, nor did I eat anything at this break. Luckily someone dropped two or three gallons of water off at Hogpen. I drank a 1/2 liters and took 1/2 liter with me. I knew Low Gap Shelter had water from other hikers on the trail. I was hoping to meet the others there. This last 4.6 miles was the longest section of my life. I hated every step of it. I hated myself for dropping my camera. I just hated everything. Time just stopped. I felt like I was hiking for hours and traveled maybe 1/2 mile. I was not happy with life at this time. To add insult to injury, it looked like it was about to rain. I consider a camping spot further up trail, but then decided to push on to shelter. I was so drained I had no clue how far it might be. I kept playing the it must be around this next bend game. It never was. Finally, just before the rain hit, I see the sign for Low Gap Shelter (43.2 miles). I yell out for others, but they weren't there. However, another section hiker was. He told me they had just left there about 30 minutes before. I was a maximum of 45 minutes behind, but it just had started raining. I was done.
It was around 7 pm, and all I had to eat was a single cliff bar about 12 hours ago. I had done almost 19 miles this day. I just couldn't do any more. I cooked my first meal of the day. Talked with some hikers. My feet were a mess again, but I allowed them to dry out.
Since I didn't have the energy to set up my tent, I decided that was as good a night as any to spend my first night in a shelter. I really did not like the idea of sleeping in shelters. In my naivete, I thought I never would. Why would I spend the night in a mouse infested hell whole? Well, I learned at least one reason why I would that night--utter exhaustion.
To my surprise, I never saw a mouse that night. I never sleep well on the trail in the summer. I usually do not go to sleep until about 2-3 am when the night gets cooler. Apparently, even when I am utterly exhausted. I was awake while all the others in the shelter were long asleep and I never heard, saw or felt a mouse. I remember thinking as I finally drifted off to sleep around 3:30 am that shelters aren't that bad.
Again, I was the last to break camp. Since I had never done this section, I was a little more camera happy then in the first 31 miles. I took a picture of the marker which shows you are entering Raven Cliff Wilderness. I thought I put my camera in my pocket and kept hiking for more than 3.5 miles. I didn't take a picture of Levelland Mt (33.4 miles) the first time because there simply was not a great view. This climb from Neel Gap to Levelland Mt was more difficult than it appeared. I pushed on passed Levelland and I got to Wolf Laurel Top. I wanted to snap a picture. I reached in my pocket and my camera was gone. Checked my other pocket--nope. It was gone.
It was a cheap camera, but I didn't want to lose the pictures I had taken the last two days so I decide to turn around. I go back all the way to Neel Gap constantly scanning the ground while still trying to go as fast as I could. I make it back in great time. I didn't find it on the trail. I went to the store and a boy scout and his father I had passed and talked to on the way up were kind enough pick it up and return it there.
After the excitement of finding my camera, I realized that I just took a 7+ mile detour. I was substantially behind the others. I start hiking back up. I made pretty good time to Cowrock Mt while using the anger of dropping my camera. I get to the summit of Cowrock Mt. (36.7 miles), and it is stunning. However, I am tired by this point. What was supposed to be a 5 mile hike to this point turned into a 12.2 mile hike. I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. I also am really, really dehydrated at this point. This section is very dry and I had been pushing it to the limit in an attempt to catch up. I decide not to eat because all the food I had was very dry, which wouldn't help me. Some day hikers told me that they ran into the others at Tesnatee Gap 1 1/2 hours ago. I was catching up, but exhausted. I had only done 12 miles so far that day, but I was really really pushing it and this section is very dry. Luckily, some day hikers gave me a liter of water. I would have been in trouble without it.
Despite being far behind the others, Cowrock Mt. is too amazing pass by. I had to stop and enjoy it even though I knew I was going to fall even farther behind. I thought to myself I had cut the distance that I was behind likely from 7.2 miles to 4. Maybe I can still catch up. After 15 minutes at Cowrock Mt, I start to make my way down to Tesnatee Gap (37.7 miles).
I wanted to stop, but I decided to keep pushing. The climb from Tesnatee Gap to Hogpen Gap was brutal at this stage of the game with no food all day, little water, and pushing so hard since I was so far behind. This climb sucked all remaining energy. On the way to Hogpen Gap, however, I was able to enjoy Wildcat Mt (38.2 miles) which offered a great view after a steep climb. I passed the sign for Whitley Gap Shelter (38.4 miles). Even if I wasn't behind schedule, I would not have stopped at this shelter. It is 1.5 miles off the AT. That is just crazy!
I began to make my descent down to Hogpen Gap (38.6 miles). I was forced to take a break at Hogpen Gap. I still hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, nor did I eat anything at this break. Luckily someone dropped two or three gallons of water off at Hogpen. I drank a 1/2 liters and took 1/2 liter with me. I knew Low Gap Shelter had water from other hikers on the trail. I was hoping to meet the others there. This last 4.6 miles was the longest section of my life. I hated every step of it. I hated myself for dropping my camera. I just hated everything. Time just stopped. I felt like I was hiking for hours and traveled maybe 1/2 mile. I was not happy with life at this time. To add insult to injury, it looked like it was about to rain. I consider a camping spot further up trail, but then decided to push on to shelter. I was so drained I had no clue how far it might be. I kept playing the it must be around this next bend game. It never was. Finally, just before the rain hit, I see the sign for Low Gap Shelter (43.2 miles). I yell out for others, but they weren't there. However, another section hiker was. He told me they had just left there about 30 minutes before. I was a maximum of 45 minutes behind, but it just had started raining. I was done.
It was around 7 pm, and all I had to eat was a single cliff bar about 12 hours ago. I had done almost 19 miles this day. I just couldn't do any more. I cooked my first meal of the day. Talked with some hikers. My feet were a mess again, but I allowed them to dry out.
Since I didn't have the energy to set up my tent, I decided that was as good a night as any to spend my first night in a shelter. I really did not like the idea of sleeping in shelters. In my naivete, I thought I never would. Why would I spend the night in a mouse infested hell whole? Well, I learned at least one reason why I would that night--utter exhaustion.
To my surprise, I never saw a mouse that night. I never sleep well on the trail in the summer. I usually do not go to sleep until about 2-3 am when the night gets cooler. Apparently, even when I am utterly exhausted. I was awake while all the others in the shelter were long asleep and I never heard, saw or felt a mouse. I remember thinking as I finally drifted off to sleep around 3:30 am that shelters aren't that bad.
Day 4 | Monday, September 1, 2014
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Start Location: Low Gap Shelter (43.2 miles)
End Location: Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles) Parking Location: Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles). Views: At best, some winter views. Water Sources: DRY SECTION; Low Gap Shelter (43.2 miles); Stream (43.6 miles); Steam (a trickle) (46.6 miles); and Blue Mountain Shelter (50.5 miles). Campsites: Low Gap Shelter (43.2 miles);Former Rocky Knob Shelter (49.6 miles); Blue Mountain Shelter (50.5 miles). AT Distance: 9.7 miles Hiking Distance: 10 miles |
I broke camp at just after 9:00 am. I knew I had a short day today to get to Unicoi Gap where I had scheduled a shuttle to come pick me up at 3 PM. Unlike the day before, this was an easy sub-10 day. There is a great spring right on trail about 0.3 miles north of Low Gap Shelter. It is easier to collect water from this Spring then the creek at the shelter if you are not using a pump.
The section between Low Gap Shelter and Chattahoochee Gap (48.2 miles) is the easiest, kindness section I have ever taken. I killed this section. The trail was very easy and soft. Just what my feet ordered.
There is water at this section, but it is a trickle from what I remember. I had to cut a .5 L water bottle to collect the water an ounce or two at a time. It was a slow process, but at least there was water! There were certain sections of Blue Mountain (51.4 miles) climb and descent which were particularly rocky and slowed progress in places down to a crawl.
My blisters were hurting at this point, but I made it down to Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles) just before 1. I contemplated going up to Rocky Mt since I still had 2 hrs to burn, but decided again it. I decided to save that for next time. I ate a few bars and drank the remaining 1.5 liters of water that I had. This concluded my first section hike.
Overall, this was my second favorite hike up to this point. It was second only to a five day trip in Glacier National Park.
The section between Low Gap Shelter and Chattahoochee Gap (48.2 miles) is the easiest, kindness section I have ever taken. I killed this section. The trail was very easy and soft. Just what my feet ordered.
There is water at this section, but it is a trickle from what I remember. I had to cut a .5 L water bottle to collect the water an ounce or two at a time. It was a slow process, but at least there was water! There were certain sections of Blue Mountain (51.4 miles) climb and descent which were particularly rocky and slowed progress in places down to a crawl.
My blisters were hurting at this point, but I made it down to Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles) just before 1. I contemplated going up to Rocky Mt since I still had 2 hrs to burn, but decided again it. I decided to save that for next time. I ate a few bars and drank the remaining 1.5 liters of water that I had. This concluded my first section hike.
Overall, this was my second favorite hike up to this point. It was second only to a five day trip in Glacier National Park.