Access to Addis Gap

[hiker33]

I'm planning to hike next month from Addis Gap, GA to Deep Gap (Standing Indian), NC. A few years ago a friend and I hiked north from Springer but bailed at Addis due to knee and foot injuries. At the time we followed an old road to the west until we reached a gate where the road became drivable, then were lucky enough to hitch a ride into Hiawassee with a local.

From the latest guidebook/map it looks like a better approach would be from the east. Can anyone provide recent info on the best route? I do have 4WD and would be dropped off, not leaving a vehicle. I know the roads aren't drivable to the AT but would like to get as close as possible to maximize my trail mileage.

Alternatively, is there a shuttle operator who would take me from Standing Indian CG to the Addis approach?

Thanks for suggestions.

[max patch]

I don't have a current guidebook, but I used to drive to Addis Gap until LaPrades Camp (a great place for a country breakfast) closed.

The FS road to the east is FS 26. Heading N on GA 197 turn make your first left past Wildcat Creek. I don't remember if the road is marked Wildcat Creek or FS 26 at this point. The turn is about a mile past where LaPrades used to be. If you reach Mocassin Creek State Park you've gone a mile or two too far. The FS road (almost) intersects the AT in 8-9 miles. Just a short walk to the AT from the parking area. There used to be a shelter just down from the parking area which was dismantled sometime in the 90s.

Unless something has changed in the last few years this should get you there.

[LuTotten]

The Road to Addis Gap is basicly non-existant. I went looking for it in May this year and on the East side I am assuming it was one of the gated roads, even the Forest Ranger we asked didnt know which road it was or what condition it was in. On the West side we found the road in only to follow it and find out they purposely destroyed it by pushing up a huge dirt mound in the middle of the road 2-3 (if I remember right) miles from the gap. On the other side of the mound was pretty overgrown but you could still see where the road once was so you could bushwhack and not get lost. (at least the first couple 10ths of a mile I followed it).

[max patch]

Could they have gated FS 26 on the east side because of the Kelly Ridge Roadless Area? Did you see where FS 26 intersects with GA 197? There is a huge rock (I think they call it sliding rock) that the locals slide down into the creek within the first mile of the left hand turn. I wonder if the locals still access to that?

[LuTotten]

I'm really not sure why they gated it on the East side the ranger did say they closed some due to storm damage over the last few years. We tried every single gravel road/path anything we could find and none of them were FS roads. There was one road gated about 20' off the road with a green metal gate like the ones FS normally uses so I am guessing that was the one that leads to the gap. I doubt anyone has access to that area without going on foot.

[tiamalle]

I'm planning to hike next month from Addis Gap, GA to Deep Gap (Standing Indian), NC. A few years ago a friend and I hiked north from Springer but bailed at Addis due to knee and foot injuries. At the time we followed an old road to the west until we reached a gate where the road became drivable, then were lucky enough to hitch a ride into Hiawassee with a local.

From the latest guidebook/map it looks like a better approach would be from the east. Can anyone provide recent info on the best route? I do have 4WD and would be dropped off, not leaving a vehicle. I know the roads aren't drivable to the AT but would like to get as close as possible to maximize my trail mileage.

Alternatively, is there a shuttle operator who would take me from Standing Indian CG to the Addis approach?

Thanks for suggestions.33 I could help you with a shuttle.I don't know the road exact but I could ask.I know the road to Tray Gap or Dicks Gap 828-524-4403 Ron Havenhttp://havensbudgetinn.com

[Egads]

Max Patch is right on. You can access the gap from Wildcat road, which is drivable with a car.


You can drive within 1 mi of Addis Gap. Hike in 1/2 mi from the parking area until you see a side road on your left. Water & good camping can be found here. There is no sign but take the road on the left for 1/2 mi. You will eventually see blue blazes & then the AT sign at Addis Gap.


This area is very active with black bear. I saw 3 bear two weeks ago.

Water was in short supply at Bly Gap, but there has been some rain which may have helped.

[hiker33]

Thanks to all who replied.

Ron, I'll give you a call in a few days after I get my hiking dates confirmed with work and wife. I'd rather not start at Tray Gap but that was my backup plan if Addis proved inaccessible. If shuttling I would want to leave my vehicle in the hikers lot at Standing Indian CG, be picked up there and dropped off near Addis.

Thanks,
Easy Strider

[tiamalle]

Max Patch is right on. You can access the gap from Wildcat road, which is drivable with a car.


You can drive within 1 mi of Addis Gap. Hike in 1/2 mi from the parking area until you see a side road on your left. Water & good camping can be found here. There is no sign but take the road on the left for 1/2 mi. You will eventually see blue blazes & then the AT sign at Addis Gap.


This area is very active with black bear. I saw 3 bear two weeks ago.

Water was in short supply at Bly Gap, but there has been some rain which may have helped.Thanks Egads,Me and Hiker 33 went up tp Addis this way today.

[soulrebel]

I did a nice loop hike last week from deep gap north to rock gap (old Hwy 64) i think. then had to road walk down to standing indian campground about a mile then took kimsey creek back up to deep gap (1-2miles) Round trip was around 24miles. I believe I was supposed to bang a left at glassmine gap to take a 3.7mile horse trail down to standing indian and kimsey creek but I missed it. OH well. Don't camp down at kimsey creek, if you hike up the hill there's are many spots available for hikers. Heard about 4 or 5 coyotes that night, no bigge. good hike over albert mtn and standing indian. 2-3days have fun...

[hiker33]

Had a great hike, finishing yesterday. :sun Tiamalle shuttled me to the Addis access, and just as I reached the AT I got hit with a real gullywasher. It poured most of the way up Kelley Knob but it ended before I reached Deep Gap Shelter. I saw no one and had the shelter to myself. The next two days saw perfect fall hiking weather, with clear blue skies, a breeze and cool temps.

Thanks, Tiamalle, for your help. I hope you made it back to your truck ahead of the rain.

[tiamalle]

Had a great hike, finishing yesterday. :sun Tiamalle shuttled me to the Addis access, and just as I reached the AT I got hit with a real gullywasher. It poured most of the way up Kelley Knob but it ended before I reached Deep Gap Shelter. I saw no one and had the shelter to myself. The next two days saw perfect fall hiking weather, with clear blue skies, a breeze and cool temps.

Thanks, Tiamalle, for your help. I hope you made it back to your truck ahead of the rain.No,I almost got drownded but I always love to go hiking.PS remember the bear tracks I showed you.200 ft south of where I parked the pickup I saw a bear oppx 150 lb cross right in front of me.:eek:

[springerfever]

Hadn't thought of Laprades in years. Food so good it would wanna make you slap your momma !!

Lake Burton is, in my opinion, the prettest lake in the state, but then I'm pretty prejudiced. Spend many a summer on Burton at Camp Cherokee. Our camp hikes on the AT back in the 60's is where I fell in love with hiking and about 8 years ago the flame was rekindled and won't be extinguished till I get that pesky thru-hike out of the way....

Such a shame Laprades Fish Camp is now just a part of the history books. They just don't make'm like that anymore.........

Nice to know there is still access to Addis Gap. I believe the gap was named for a family that homesteaded there in the early 1900's. And that pull up Kelly's Knob is a bear, won't soon forget that one !!!