GA/NC Border -Advice

[Uncle B]

Planning on sectioning Unicoi Gap to the GA/NC border. Best case scenario would be to get a shuttle to Unicoi after leaving my vehicle somewhere around the GA/NC border. I like to hike towards my own transportation so I don't have to worry about a scheduled meet time at the end (I'm NOBO).

My Question(s) are:

1) Where to leave my vehicle? Looks like Deep Gap USFS 71 the closest road to the border? If so, is it ok (and relatively safe) to leave a vehicle there? Is there a better place?

2) Who do you all recommend for a shuttle?

The only thing I'm set on is heading NOBO out of Unicoi, other than that, I'm open to suggestions. This will be a two day section.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks...Uncle B

[scope]

I'm showing that'll be 28m, including the doubleback to the car. That's a lot for 2 days, especially since dropping the car and getting back to Unicoi is going to take a while, meaning a late start that first day. I think the last thing you're going to want to do at the end of that first day is tackle Kelly Knob, but if you don't, that's leaves too many miles for the next day.

You said you were set on Nobo, but it just makes more sense to me to park at Unicoi which is a large relatively safe lot and get a shuttle to Blue Ridge Gap (which is what I think you meant instead of Deep Gap) and hike Sobo.

The road at BRG looks good, but there's little in the way of pull-off space and I've heard its sometimes impassable - somewhere other than where it crosses the AT I guess.

[iesman69]

Scope's right...and I found this post from Mother Nature from the end of Feb 08. Looks like you'll need a 4WD for BRG access??

The closest road to Bly Gap without backtracking is at Deep Gap, NC on FS 71. Take US 64 out of Franklin heading toward Standing Indian Campground. Contnuing on US 64 past the road leading to SIG turn left on FS 71 and travel about 6 miles to Deep Gap. You will walk about 6.8 miles south on the AT to reach Bly Gap.

If you redecide to do minimal backtrack and have a 4 wheel drive vehicle the closest access to Bly Gap is on Upper Hightower Road outside of Hiawassee. That road meets the AT at Blue Ridge Gap. You would have to walk 3 miles north to Bly Gap and then retrace your steps.

[Sly]

Ron Haven showed me how to get to Bly Gap by road, FS road and abandoned logging road off old 64 but I'm not sure if there's a good place to leave a car. However, you'd probably need a real good map to figure it yourself.

From Unicoi Gap to Bly Gap is 26 miles, or to Deep Gap 33 mi.

[max patch]

The road to BRG is sometimes passable, sometimes not. I wouldn't plan on leaving a car there unless I had current info re road conditions. I personally havent been there in 15 years or so when my 4wd ford explorer couldn't make it and I had to turn around.

I've never had a problem leaving a car at Deep Gap but,

I prefer to leave a car inside Standing Indian Campground (get permission from the host if they are there.) The campground is reached by hiking the 3.5 mile Kimsey Creek Trail from Deep Gap to the campground.

[orangebug]

Or go with the original idea of Deep Gap for parking and get a shuttle back to Unicoi. Any way you do this, expect it to take a good 3 days between hiking hard and shuttling.

[Uncle B]

Thanks for all the good advice. Man I love this site!

Thanks again...Uncle B

[Mother Nature]

I drove up to Blue Ridge Gap about two weeks ago. The road is still passable with a truck or higher profile vehicle. It needs to be graded soon but doesn't truly require a 4-wheel drive vehicle at this time.

MN

[excuses]

The Deep Gap road FS71 is a good gravel road. I did it last Wednesday with my Chevy Cavalier. I vote for a SOBO though. I did sections from Deep Gap to Hogpen in 3 days. I believe the hike was easier SOBO.

[Socrates]

Crossing into NC was not the happiest day for me. I was happy to hit the border, but other than that it was one hell of a NB uphill day making it to the shelter in my opinion. I'm a bit tipsy at the moment so I'm not exactly sure what my point is. Maybe just to say be aware of you elevation changes before making a final plan or you may not be so happy either... Or maybe you're like one of the freaks that passed me that day doing about 18 miles...