Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap
Day 1 | Saturday, November 15, 2014
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Start Location: Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles) | 6:30 pm
End Location: Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles) | 8:45 pm Parking Location: Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles); Indian Grave Gap (55.6 miles); and Tray Gap (57.3 miles). Views: Rocky Mt Summit (54.3 miles) and Tray Mt Summit (58.1 miles). Water Sources: Two streams for first mile; Tray Mountain Road (56.3 miles); Cheese Factory site (56.6 miles); and Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles). Campsites: Rocky Mountain Summit (54.3 miles); Cheese Factory site (56.6 miles); Tray Gap (57.3 miles); and Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles). AT Distance: 5.7 miles Hiking Distance: 5.7 miles |
This hike did not quite go as planned. I was hiking solo for this hike so I planned to do and out-and-back hike from Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles) to Dicks Creek Gap (69.6 miles). I left work Friday a little early and made my way to Unicoi Gap. I got to Unicoi and started hiking up Rocky Mountain around 6:30 pm. Per my usual, I was already 30 minutes behind schedule.
This portion of the AT is known for significant climbs and significant descents. I began climbing immediately after leaving Unicoi parking lot. For the next 1.4 miles, I was constantly climbing almost 1,100 feet until I reached the summit of Rocky Mountain (54.3 miles). I don't know if it was starting with a big climb right after a long week of work, but this climb was somewhat difficult. I remember getting a little tired and my pace slowing slightly which was unusual for such a steep, but short climb.
This section also has two great water sources when it passes 2 great streams at 53.6 miles and 53.8 miles. There is also a blue blazed side trail named Rocky Mountain Trail which I did not explore at 53.8 miles.
The summit of Rocky Mountain is great. I spent 10 minutes taking that view in and then I began the steep, 900 foot descent to Indian Grave Gap (55.6 miles). Once I make it down to Indian Grave Gap, I crossed USFS Road 283. There is a small parking area here. Also, there is a blue blazed side trail to Andrew Cove Trail, which I did not have time explore. Maybe next time!
From Indian Grave Gap (55.6 miles) I began the steep, 1,300 foot climb up to the summit of Tray Mountain (58.1 miles). This climb was not nearly as bad the climb up Rocky Mountain. Maybe it was because I had warmed up my legs this point. Maybe it was because it was a more gradual climb over 2.5 miles. Either way, I made pretty good time up to the summit of Tray Mountain. Leaving Indian Grave Gap, I crossed Tray Mountain Rd (gravel) at 56.3 miles. Shortly thereafter, I came to a large campsite called the Cheese factory site (56.6 miles), which had water down a blue blazed trail. I continued on to Tray Gap (57.3 miles). Here the trail crosses Tray Mountain Rd again. There is a large campsite area here and parking for vehicles that can make it up this forest road. At this point, it was starting to get dark. I put down my pack and got out my headlamp. Also, I took a quick break to have a clif bar and some water. I left Tray Gap to make the last 600 foot push to the summit of Tray Mountain.
The view from Tray Mountain left a lot to be desired. For some reason I thought Tray Mountain offered a great view. It did not, at least not from the trail. It left me wondering if I missed a rock outcrop or small side trail to a better view. However, given the dense fog/mist/rain that was rolling in and the fact that I was losing light fast, I decided to push on to Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles). I made this remaining half a mile hike descending Tray Mountain in thick mist and night. Visibility was very poor. I couldn't see a white blaze 6 feet ahead of me. I was not happy making this descent in these conditions. There was chance of rain in the forecast for that night, and I really wanted to set up camp before that happened.
After some slow going, I finally made it down to Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles). There was a family camping there. I didn't want to spend the night in the shelter so I asked if I could take a corner of the campsite. They were kind and let me set up my tent there. I spent night 1 in my tent. That night, the rain came in. I had left the vestibule doors open of my tent to help with ventilation (condensation) issues. I woke up to rain hitting my face. I got up and quickly closed down the vestibules. I quickly went back to sleep to the sound of rain on my tent. It wasn't a heavy rain and it didn't last long, but it did get everything wet. It also made getting up the next morning very difficult.
This portion of the AT is known for significant climbs and significant descents. I began climbing immediately after leaving Unicoi parking lot. For the next 1.4 miles, I was constantly climbing almost 1,100 feet until I reached the summit of Rocky Mountain (54.3 miles). I don't know if it was starting with a big climb right after a long week of work, but this climb was somewhat difficult. I remember getting a little tired and my pace slowing slightly which was unusual for such a steep, but short climb.
This section also has two great water sources when it passes 2 great streams at 53.6 miles and 53.8 miles. There is also a blue blazed side trail named Rocky Mountain Trail which I did not explore at 53.8 miles.
The summit of Rocky Mountain is great. I spent 10 minutes taking that view in and then I began the steep, 900 foot descent to Indian Grave Gap (55.6 miles). Once I make it down to Indian Grave Gap, I crossed USFS Road 283. There is a small parking area here. Also, there is a blue blazed side trail to Andrew Cove Trail, which I did not have time explore. Maybe next time!
From Indian Grave Gap (55.6 miles) I began the steep, 1,300 foot climb up to the summit of Tray Mountain (58.1 miles). This climb was not nearly as bad the climb up Rocky Mountain. Maybe it was because I had warmed up my legs this point. Maybe it was because it was a more gradual climb over 2.5 miles. Either way, I made pretty good time up to the summit of Tray Mountain. Leaving Indian Grave Gap, I crossed Tray Mountain Rd (gravel) at 56.3 miles. Shortly thereafter, I came to a large campsite called the Cheese factory site (56.6 miles), which had water down a blue blazed trail. I continued on to Tray Gap (57.3 miles). Here the trail crosses Tray Mountain Rd again. There is a large campsite area here and parking for vehicles that can make it up this forest road. At this point, it was starting to get dark. I put down my pack and got out my headlamp. Also, I took a quick break to have a clif bar and some water. I left Tray Gap to make the last 600 foot push to the summit of Tray Mountain.
The view from Tray Mountain left a lot to be desired. For some reason I thought Tray Mountain offered a great view. It did not, at least not from the trail. It left me wondering if I missed a rock outcrop or small side trail to a better view. However, given the dense fog/mist/rain that was rolling in and the fact that I was losing light fast, I decided to push on to Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles). I made this remaining half a mile hike descending Tray Mountain in thick mist and night. Visibility was very poor. I couldn't see a white blaze 6 feet ahead of me. I was not happy making this descent in these conditions. There was chance of rain in the forecast for that night, and I really wanted to set up camp before that happened.
After some slow going, I finally made it down to Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles). There was a family camping there. I didn't want to spend the night in the shelter so I asked if I could take a corner of the campsite. They were kind and let me set up my tent there. I spent night 1 in my tent. That night, the rain came in. I had left the vestibule doors open of my tent to help with ventilation (condensation) issues. I woke up to rain hitting my face. I got up and quickly closed down the vestibules. I quickly went back to sleep to the sound of rain on my tent. It wasn't a heavy rain and it didn't last long, but it did get everything wet. It also made getting up the next morning very difficult.
Day 2 | Saturday, September 20, 2014
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Start Location: Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles) | 10:30 pm
Mid Point: Deep Gap Shelter ( 66 miles) | 2:00 PM End Location: Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles) | 5:30 pm Parking Location: None Views: Tray Mt Shelter view (58.6 miles), Kelly Knob view (65.2 miles). Water Sources: Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles); Sassafras Gap (63.3 miles); Deep Gap Shelter (66 miles). Campsites: Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles); Sassafras Gap (63.3 miles); Addis Gap (64.2 miles); and Deep Gap Shelter (66 miles). AT Distance: 7.4 miles Hiking Distance: ~ 16 miles |
I was supposed to break camp early this morning. I set my alarm for 6:45 am. The alarm woke me up, and I sat in my tent looking up at my tent. I wasn't sure if the rain had stopped or if it was just the water from the trees falling as the wind blew (and it was blowing that night). After 5 minutes and after only sleeping 3 hours the night before, I decided to go back to sleep. I slept until 8:45 am. I go dressed in my tent and I went to the shelter for breakfast. I ate a warm breakfast (oatmeal) and a bar. I drank a liter of water and resupplied my water before I left. By the time I left camp, it was almost 10:30 am. I realized there was going to be no way for me to make it to Dicks' Creek Gap and back to Tray Mountain Shelter before dark. I looked at the map and decided I will decide what I planned to do when I stopped at Deep Gap Shelter for lunch.
I had to be back in town by 1:00 pm for a futebol game on Sunday so I needed to make it back to Tray Mountain Shelter (at least) that night. Leaving Tray Mountain Shelter, I continued the descent down Tray Mountain. I reached Wolfpen Gap (59.8) fairly quickly. Shortly thereafter, I reached Steeltrap Gap (60.3 miles). There was water here, but down a half mile side trail. Simply not worth it. I usually carry a lot of water and can go from shelter to shelter without resupplying typically.
The trial then goes up a series of short pointless up and downs (Puds) until you reach Sassafras Gap (63.3 miles) aka "Swag of the Blue Ridge." I did not need water, but there should be water here down a steep blue blazed side trail. This is also an excellent campsite. I ate a snack here and drank some water.
I arrived at Addis Camp. Like Steeltrap Gap, there is a large campsite with water down a half mile old fire road. Again, simply not worth it. It was just passed 1 PM. I was making decent time. I decided to push on. From Addis Gap, I started the 800 foot climb to Kelly Knob (65.2 miles), which offered a nice little view right from the trail. I began my 600 foot descent from Kelly Knob to Deep Gap Shelter (66 miles), which is .3 miles off the trail. I arrived at Deep Gap Shelter around 2:00 pm, but I was not the only one. Well over 20 boyscout were there. I cooked my meal for the day. At this point, I was still thinking there was a chance to make it to Dicks Creek Gap and turn around to make it to Tray Mountain again. After lunch, rehydrating, resupplying water, and getting packed, it was about 3:00 pm.
I had a decision to make. I had less than 5 hours of light left. If I decided to hike to Dicks Creek Gap, I had 14.6 more miles to go after already hiking 7.4 miles. That was virtually a 3 mile per hour pace for 5 hours. I decided that was too much. I decided to turn around here and hike back the 7.4 miles to Tray Mountain Shelter. I could do Dicks Creek Gap to Deep Gap as a day hike another time. As I started to leave, I got mad at myself for sleeping in. If I had broke camp at 8:00 pm like I intended I could have easily made it to Dicks Creek Gap and back with enough time to Tray Mountain Shelter. Oh well, spilt milk at this point.
I backtracked to Tray Mountain in decent time. Some section hikers heading towards Tray Mt. Shelter from Ohio I had spoken to on my way to Deep Gap Shelter had started a fire. I decided to not set up my wet shelter and instead sleep in the shelter. I have been lucky, another night without any mice and a good night sleep as it started to get colder earlier in the night.
I had to be back in town by 1:00 pm for a futebol game on Sunday so I needed to make it back to Tray Mountain Shelter (at least) that night. Leaving Tray Mountain Shelter, I continued the descent down Tray Mountain. I reached Wolfpen Gap (59.8) fairly quickly. Shortly thereafter, I reached Steeltrap Gap (60.3 miles). There was water here, but down a half mile side trail. Simply not worth it. I usually carry a lot of water and can go from shelter to shelter without resupplying typically.
The trial then goes up a series of short pointless up and downs (Puds) until you reach Sassafras Gap (63.3 miles) aka "Swag of the Blue Ridge." I did not need water, but there should be water here down a steep blue blazed side trail. This is also an excellent campsite. I ate a snack here and drank some water.
I arrived at Addis Camp. Like Steeltrap Gap, there is a large campsite with water down a half mile old fire road. Again, simply not worth it. It was just passed 1 PM. I was making decent time. I decided to push on. From Addis Gap, I started the 800 foot climb to Kelly Knob (65.2 miles), which offered a nice little view right from the trail. I began my 600 foot descent from Kelly Knob to Deep Gap Shelter (66 miles), which is .3 miles off the trail. I arrived at Deep Gap Shelter around 2:00 pm, but I was not the only one. Well over 20 boyscout were there. I cooked my meal for the day. At this point, I was still thinking there was a chance to make it to Dicks Creek Gap and turn around to make it to Tray Mountain again. After lunch, rehydrating, resupplying water, and getting packed, it was about 3:00 pm.
I had a decision to make. I had less than 5 hours of light left. If I decided to hike to Dicks Creek Gap, I had 14.6 more miles to go after already hiking 7.4 miles. That was virtually a 3 mile per hour pace for 5 hours. I decided that was too much. I decided to turn around here and hike back the 7.4 miles to Tray Mountain Shelter. I could do Dicks Creek Gap to Deep Gap as a day hike another time. As I started to leave, I got mad at myself for sleeping in. If I had broke camp at 8:00 pm like I intended I could have easily made it to Dicks Creek Gap and back with enough time to Tray Mountain Shelter. Oh well, spilt milk at this point.
I backtracked to Tray Mountain in decent time. Some section hikers heading towards Tray Mt. Shelter from Ohio I had spoken to on my way to Deep Gap Shelter had started a fire. I decided to not set up my wet shelter and instead sleep in the shelter. I have been lucky, another night without any mice and a good night sleep as it started to get colder earlier in the night.
Day 3 | Sunday, September 21, 2014
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Start Location: Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6) | 8:30 am
End Location: Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles) | 11:00 pm Parking Location: Unicoi Gap (52.9 miles); Indian Grave Gap (55.6 miles); and Tray Gap (57.3 miles). Views: Rocky Mt Summit (54.3 miles) and Tray Mt Summit (58.1 miles); Tray Mountain Shelter View (58.6). Water Sources: Two streams for first mile; Tray Mountain Road (56.3 miles); Cheese Factory site (56.6 miles); and Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles). Campsites: Rocky Mountain Summit (54.3 miles); Cheese Factory site (56.6 miles); Tray Gap (57.3 miles); and Tray Mountain Shelter (58.6 miles). AT Distance: 5.7 miles Hiking Distance: 5.7 miles |
I woke up early from a pretty good night of sleep. It was a colder night which allowed me to really get a good night of sleep. I ate a warm breakfast and my last clif bar and headed back to Unicoi Gap. I did this hike NOBO and SOBO, and I think SOBO was more difficult. Particularly, the climb up Rocky Mountain from Indian Grave Gap was difficult, but like most Georgia climbs on the AT they are steep, but over relatively quickly. I just put my head down and kept moving. I made it to Unicoi Gap around 11 am, which gave me just enough time to make it home for my futebol game.
Day 4 | Saturday, October 4, 2014
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Start Location: Dicks Creek Gap (69.6 miles)
Mid Point: Deep Gap Shelter (66 miles) End Location: Dicks Creek Gap (69.6 miles) Parking Location: Dicks Creek Gap (69.6 miles) Views: "Vista" Campsite View (67.1 miles). Water Sources: Dicks Creek Gap (69.6 miles); Deep Gap Shelter (66 miles)Deep Gap Shelter (66 miles). Campsites: "Vista" Campsite View (67.1 miles); Deep Gap Shelter (66 miles) AT Distance: 3.6 miles Hiking Distance: 7.4 miles |
I had meet a hiker who planned to thru hike the AT next year. She was trying to get as much experience with the GA AT as possible so I invited her to a short day hike I had planned. The first part of this day hike was going to be finishing that 3.6 mile section I did not finish two weeks prior between Deep Gap Shelter and Dicks Creek Gap. We met at Dicks Creel Gap in the morning and started hiking. Heading SOBO, there is a decent climb out of Dicks Creek Gap. It was a near constant climb of approximately 1,200 feet until we reached Vista Campsite (67.1 miles). This place offers a great campsite and a beautiful vista overlooking the mountains and a nearby Lake Burton. It would make a truly stunning place to camp.
After leaving Vista Campsite, we had a short descent to Deep Gap Shelter where we had lunch, discussed gear, and upcoming hikes. After lunch, we hiked back to Dicks Creek which, after a small climb out of Deep Gap Shelter, was mostly downhill.
With this day hike, I also did several local hikes for the first time which were Duke Creek Falls and Raven Cliff Falls. I then drove to Brasstown Bald where I caught the sunset over from the observation tower and got an eye full of night sky. I had heard that Brasstown Bald night sky is comparable to Glacier National Park night sky. I wanted to put that claim to the test. Don't get me wrong Brasstown Bald offered a stunning night sky, but it is NOT GNP.
Overall a great day hike. I finished the first 69.6 miles of the AT. I got to experience two new waterfalls. I got to see the sunset and night sky at Brasstown Bald. And I made a new hiking friend, SB, which, at the time, I had very few of. It was a great day.
After leaving Vista Campsite, we had a short descent to Deep Gap Shelter where we had lunch, discussed gear, and upcoming hikes. After lunch, we hiked back to Dicks Creek which, after a small climb out of Deep Gap Shelter, was mostly downhill.
With this day hike, I also did several local hikes for the first time which were Duke Creek Falls and Raven Cliff Falls. I then drove to Brasstown Bald where I caught the sunset over from the observation tower and got an eye full of night sky. I had heard that Brasstown Bald night sky is comparable to Glacier National Park night sky. I wanted to put that claim to the test. Don't get me wrong Brasstown Bald offered a stunning night sky, but it is NOT GNP.
Overall a great day hike. I finished the first 69.6 miles of the AT. I got to experience two new waterfalls. I got to see the sunset and night sky at Brasstown Bald. And I made a new hiking friend, SB, which, at the time, I had very few of. It was a great day.