After first being approved by my wife (pending a weeklong trip to Disney World), my employer has approved my weeklong vacation request for the first week of May! As of right now there is nothing to stop me from thru-hiking the Georgia section of the AT. I am pumped! I have a couple of trips planned between now and then, including another Mt. Mitchell trip as well as a 3 day Art Loeb trail trip. Not that I am over planning but with my slightly overly obsessive personality I wanted to get some feedback from the experienced regarding a tentative plan for my GA hike.

For the hike, I know that this is all completely subject to change, but a basic agenda/schedule:

Day 1: DROP OFF Approach Trail (8.8mi) & AT Springer Mtn to Springer Mountain Shelter (.2mi)
Day 2: Springer Mtn Shelter to Hawk Mountain Shelter (7.6mi)
Day 3: Hawk Mountain Shelter to Gooch Mountain Shelter (7.3mi)
Day 4: Gooch Mountain Shelter to Wood's Hole Shelter (11.9mi)
Day 5: Wood's Hole Shelter to Whitney Gap Shelter (10.1mi)
Day 6: Whitney Gap Shelter to Blue Mountain Shelter (11.8mi)
Day 7: Blue Mountain Shelter to Deep Gap Shelter Shelter (15.3mi)
Day 8: Deep Gap Shelter to Plumorchard Gap Shelter (8mi)
Day 9: Plumorchard Gap Shelter to Geep Gap/USFS71 (11.2mi) PICK UP

-I was planning on trying to book a room for that Friday at the Hiker Hostel and hopefully be able to leave a car there and use them as a drop off and pick up service.
-I was planning on carrying four days of food and resupplying at Neels Gap.


A couple of notes:
-I know that no plan is perfect and things always come up. Furthermore, I was planning on tenting more than sheltering so this of course is just a rough plan to sort of calm my wife.
-I know that you can over plan a trip and thus feel like you can't enjoy it because you are hiking against a schedule. I am not trying to do that but still, I do sort of have an obsessive personality when it comes to planning out the details.
-I know that I could EASILY trim at least 1-2 days out of the above schedule by lengthening my days to my normal run of 12 miles, but I really want to enjoy being in the woods as much as possible for this trip and not rush it if I don’t have to.

I guess what I am asking for feedback regarding is:

1. Does this general plan sound possible, reasonable, and suggested? If not, what sort of changes or adjustments would you suggest making?
2. With one resupply point for a week, other than being pretty stinky, does Neels Gap sound like an ideal place to have the shortest break away from the trail? Any other suggestions for other locations? What would you do?
3. Does my plan with the Hiker Hostel sound ideal? I think this was suggested to me by someone in another thread.

What other suggestions do ya'll have? I'm pretty excited about beginning my section hike... 2009 - forever :)

Do it how you want. I did Ga in 5.5 days. Your schedule is easily doable. BTW I believe Whitney Gap shelter is the one that is like a mile off the trail. Don't know if you really want to stay there. You're call man, either way enjoy your hike. Should be a great time!

it looks fine. don't overplan and overanalyze.

I would bypass Whitney Gap shelter. That'll save you 2.4 miles of hiking! Just camp up on the ridge there somewhere or keep on hiking, cross the road and find a spot to camp.

Looks like a solid plan to me. Like Lone Wolf says, don't over plan it. You can definitely make it through in 9 days, but don't really worry about a schedule beyond that.

Regarding Whitley Gap, it is in fact 1.3 off the trail, but is a really nice place to rest your head. Probably ony of my favorite shelters I have visited. That being said, it is a drag to hike in to and then out of the next morning. As mentioned, there are some real nice tent spots on the ridgeline on the trail to the shelter that would be great given suitable weather.

I'm with you NCYankee I would rather do more days and have the time to see and do than try and just "complete" a section. Have fun I'm envious!

Regarding Whitley Gap, it is in fact 1.3 off the trail, but is a really nice place to rest your head. Probably ony of my favorite shelters I have visited. That being said, it is a drag to hike in to and then out of the next morning. As mentioned, there are some real nice tent spots on the ridgeline on the trail to the shelter that would be great given suitable weather.


I think the 1+ mile distance away from the trail immediately takes that shelter out of the picture... well depending on weather and time frame. Very good to know.

Whitley Gap is a nice shelter due to the fact it is not used very much. The 2.6 round trip is a drag at the end of a day and to start off. As others have said, steer clear of it. In fact, there are enough camping spots in Georgia along the trail to simply hike until you get tired and then pick a spot. If you want exact spots close to end of day hikes, check your guide books or get with me. I can tell you where most of the good ones are all along the trail. Many others here can also do the same thing. Good luck and just enjoy the state, it is a great one.

At age 29, I think you might get bored as hell with that schedule. No need to overextend yourself, but 7 miles in one day amounts to no more than 5 hours of hiking tops. What will you do with your excess time? I'm not suggesting pushing your limits, but anything less than 10 miles on a day where you won't be stopping at Neel's or going to Hiawassee might get boring. The first 7 from Springer to Hawk Mt. are about as easy as you can get, so I might try to push on to Gooch Mt. Shelter. I know that is two days in one, but you will be surprised at how far the first day excitement will take ya. As was noted, Whitley Gap is a good distance off the trail, so if you can rejigger your plans to avoid it that might be helpful. Further, Woods Hole is also a near half-mile off the trail, so you might want to go for Blood Mt. Shelter, it's only another 1.3 miles, if you include the side trail to Woods Hole. It looks like you are travelling shelter to shelter. Nothing wrong with that, I'd just try to push on that first day. Nothing wrong with having some time and miles in the bank to use when you need them. Nothing in GA is as easy as those first seven miles and it would suck to have to push on, due to necessity, in much harder conditions when you could have made things a bit easier on the front end. Here's an alternative, just for the sake of proposing an alternative.

Springer to Gooch Mt. Shelter 13 miles (mileage approxiamate)
Gooch Mt Shelter to Blood Mt Shelter 15 miles
Blood Mt. Shelter to Low Gap 13 miles
Low Gap to Tray Mt. Shelter 15 miles
Tray Mt to Deep Gap 7 miles
Deep Gap to Plum Orchard Gap 8 miles
Plum Orchard to Pickup spot 11 miles.

This basically front loads the miles instead of having them at the end. Just a thought.

"Plans are useless, planning is indispensable." DDE

I would bypass Whitney Gap shelter. That'll save you 2.4 miles of hiking! Just camp up on the ridge there somewhere or keep on hiking, cross the road and find a spot to camp.


Awh, Go ahead and go for the shelter. I've never been there, but it sounds like your trip is about enjoying yourself, and not being rushed.

Just go out and enjoy. You have plenty of time to do the blue blazes and make LW proud. :D

Springer to Gooch Mt. Shelter 13 miles (mileage approxiamate)
Gooch Mt Shelter to Blood Mt Shelter 15 miles
Blood Mt. Shelter to Low Gap 13 miles
Low Gap to Tray Mt. Shelter 15 miles
Tray Mt to Deep Gap 7 miles
Deep Gap to Plum Orchard Gap 8 miles
Plum Orchard to Pickup spot 11 miles.



I like this plan a lot. This might work a lot better.

The first 7 from Springer to Hawk Mt. are about as easy as you can get, so I might try to push on to Gooch Mt. Shelter.

Further, Woods Hole is also a near half-mile off the trail, so you might want to go for Blood Mt. Shelter, it's only another 1.3 miles, if you include the side trail to Woods Hole.

Springer to Hawk is super easy. I kinda thot I'd spend my first night there on my thru, but I got there at lunch time so I pressed on.

No water on Blood. Great views, though. If staying, I'd camp and avoid the shelter.

Regarding Whitley Gap, it is in fact 1.3 off the trail, but is a really nice place to rest your head. Probably ony of my favorite shelters I have visited. That being said, it is a drag to hike in to and then out of the next morning. As mentioned, there are some real nice tent spots on the ridgeline on the trail to the shelter that would be great given suitable weather.

Every book I have says 1.2 and the sign says 1.2 but I won't pick a nit about it. At the end of a day it is a long hike down in there. It is a nice spot though and the water is very good. Long hike back up and out though.

Every book I have says 1.2 and the sign says 1.2 but I won't pick a nit about it. At the end of a day it is a long hike down in there. It is a nice spot though and the water is very good. Long hike back up and out though.

Was not trying to contradict you, as a matter of fact I was trying to agree with you. :confused: Apparently my left index finger is too fat and I inadvertently hit the "3" key when I attempted to mash the "2" key. Mea culpa.

Was not trying to contradict you, as a matter of fact I was trying to agree with you. :confused: Apparently my left index finger is too fat and I inadvertently hit the "3" key when I attempted to mash the "2" key. Mea culpa.

No problem at all. Things do change over the years. :)

I just got word that the hiker hostel goes as far north as Blue Ridge Gap.

So here is a question to sort of spin everything else…


Would you:

1. Do the trip as above outlined, and hike to the GA/NC border (I want to hit this point) and then back track to Blue Ridge Gap for extraction?
2. Do the trip as above outlined and find an alternate method of transportation?
3. Change the trip completely, have Hiker Hostel drop us off at Blue Ridge Gap, hike North to the NC/GA border, back track south, and then do the entire trip SOBO?

Just looking for opinions here because I want to do the entirity of GA as part of this trip.

Thanks for the help!

The hike from Blue Ridge Gap up to tag the state line is a fairly easy hike. You might consider doing a SOBO. Go up and tag the line and hit Plumorchard for your first day. The only issue for you there is if you want to section the whole trail, you have to backtrack from Deep Gap down to the state line to start in NC.

I'd avoid Blood Mtn shelter, because it is in the middle of the trail and pretty abused. If you bring a tarp, you will find plenty of good sites around Bird Gap (Woods Hole) and Slaughter Gap, with more reliable water at Slaughter.

You seem to have a very nice vacation walk planned. I think you will find that you can adjust the hike however you desire. I'd consider replanning once you get to Neel's Gap and consider whether you might even want to hit Standing Indian - if you are feeling strong.

Regarding Whitley Gap, it is in fact 1.3 off the trail, but is a really nice place to rest your head. Probably ony of my favorite shelters I have visited. That being said, it is a drag to hike in to and then out of the next morning. As mentioned, there are some real nice tent spots on the ridgeline on the trail to the shelter that would be great given suitable weather.


One of the current 2009 thrus remarked that the whitley gap shelter was trashed last week. http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=260054

A sad thing to hear.

build 'em they will come

I would do it SOBO, because you end up at a place where there are facilities. If you go NOBO you end up at a parking lot in the middle of nowhere. Just makes waiting eaiser.

I would bypass Whitley Gap shelter.

You may want to consolidate the first 3 days into 2. After reaching Springer, Stover Creek Shelter is only 2.8 mostly downhill miles. Then if you can hike 12 miles the next day to Gooch, you've arrive in 2 day instead of 3.

On the other hand since you want to enjoy the woods, than your plan sounds fine.

Georgia can be challenging with all the up and down but it's a nice stretch of trail and well maintained by the GATC. I enjoyed it on my '04 hike (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=55441).

Happy Trails!

I agree you could tighten the schedule up a bit, but don't push yourself. You're not a thru-hiker, there's no need to push miles if you don't need to. Plus, when people say Georgia can be "challenging" they mean it'll kick your @ss.

My first hike on the AT was a Georgia Thru-hike. It was great, but I'm warning you, you might fall in love with the trail and be forced to thru-hike it later! Anyways, when I did just Georgia I hiked up to Bly Gap and then backtracked to the road and Blue Ridge Gap. It is not well maintained, but if you hike down the road (to the west) it becomes paved and there are houses down there. It wouldn't be the best place to hitch from, but there are people who do shuttles if Josh and Leigh (of the Hiker Hostel) don't. Your plan looks great. I stayed at Whitley when I did my Georgia thru-hike and it was a very nice shelter with a great water source. When I did my full thru hike I didn't stay there a second time because it was off the trail. We did have Whitley all to ourselves in prime thru-hiking season (March) so that was kind of a nice respite from all the people. On the other hand, meeting everyone on the trail really made me love it and want to thru-hike it. Whatever you decide will be great.

My first hike on the AT was a Georgia Thru-hike. It was great, but I'm warning you, you might fall in love with the trail and be forced to thru-hike it later! Anyways, when I did just Georgia I hiked up to Bly Gap and then backtracked to the road and Blue Ridge Gap. It is not well maintained, but if you hike down the road (to the west) it becomes paved and there are houses down there. It wouldn't be the best place to hitch from, but there are people who do shuttles if Josh and Leigh (of the Hiker Hostel) don't.

I just drove up to Blue Ridge Gap over Christmas Break. Anyone in a pick up could pretty easily make it up to the Gap. I didn't even use 4WD and didn't spin one time. While it is not 4 lane freeway smooth, as long as you aren't trying to drive a Civic or a Jetta up there it is OK. On top of that, it is only probably 1/4 to the pavement if you do have that Civic or Jetta.

Thats cool- when I was picked up there in 05' it wasn't a problem- but I ended up hiking out to the pavement because it was raining, I was cold and sick of waiting. In 06' I was dropped off there to do the next section north and the driver had me get out and walk. I only crossed the road in 08', so I don't really know. I'm sure it would depend greatly on the driver and their vehicle.

There is a big advantage to walking back to your vehicle. If you get a ride to the northern end, you can walk back at your own pace. If you go faster, no problem. If it is cold and rainy and you want a zero day, no problem. You can leave your vehicle at Springer, also.

If you really want to go northbound, consider Ron Haven. You can leave your car in Franklin and he can shuttle you to Springer. Then he can pick you up at FS 71 (Deep Gap) or you can walk down the short trail to the old rainbow Springs Campground and get picked up there or even thumb into Franklin.

I highly recommend Ron Haven's shuttle services if you decide to go as far as Deep Gap.

Also highly recommend the Hiker Hostel.

And Lone Wolf is right - don't overplan. Once you get on the trail you will probably find all your plans will change. There are a number of shuttle services in the area, and if you carry a cell phone you can call for a shuttle from a number of different places.

My first hike on the AT was a Georgia Thru-hike. It was great, but I'm warning you, you might fall in love with the trail and be forced to thru-hike it later!

I actually read your trail journal today. Very nice!


If you really want to go northbound, consider Ron Haven. You can leave your car in Franklin and he can shuttle you to Springer. Then he can pick you up at FS 71 (Deep Gap) or you can walk down the short trail to the old rainbow Springs Campground and get picked up there or even thumb into Franklin.

This is the first I am hearing about Ron Haven... this could actually be an ideal solution...

I highly recommend Ron Haven's shuttle services if you decide to go as far as Deep Gap.

Also highly recommend the Hiker Hostel.

I'm going to check out Ron Haven's shuttle service, because it coud be ideal and I know we'll be carrying cell phones. It sort of becomes a debate then between what our termination point is and that can sort of determine our shuttle service. Regardless, I'm pumped as this will be my longest trip this year (everything else will be 3-4 nights at the most).

I did the same section last year. This is how it went:
Day 1: Amicalola SP to Three Forks
Day 2: Three Forks to Gooch Gap Shelter
Day 3: Gooch Gap Shelter to Slaughter Creek tent sites
Day 4: Slaughter Creek tent sites to Low Gap Shelter
Day 5: Low Gap Shelter to Tray Mtn Shelter
Day 6: Tray Mtn Shelter to Plumorchard Shelter
Day 7: Plumorchard Shelter to Deep Gap (exited to car via Kimsey Creek Trail)

I like staying near shelters for the privies and bear cables (and to hang out in if it's raining), but I sleep in a tent. All of the shelters on the above itinerary had decent tent sites with the exception of Plumorchard. There are places to set up a tent there, but they're not that nice. Three Forks is near a FS road, and there are a bunch of tent sites there. Just be warned that you'll probably run into some car campers there. Slaughter Creek tent sites are a little ways before Blood Mtn Shelter going NOBO, and I thought they were awesome.

As for the re-supply at Neel Gap...definitely. I dropped a box off there (for the measly sum of a $2 donation...I gave 'em a 5). When I got there I re-supplied and left some stuff in the box. Then I picked it up when I finished the section (I was hiking with a partner and we had a car staged on either end). Make sure to eat a pizza there and hit the showers. Yeah I was stinky like 3 hours later after I hit the trail again, but it was nice to clean off. They charge $5 for the shower and that includes a towel.

Advice...um let's see...watch out for the poison ivy, it's everywehere...and I mean EVERYWHERE. Other than that have an awesome time...I know I did.

Advice...um let's see...watch out for the poison ivy, it's everywehere...and I mean EVERYWHERE. Other than that have an awesome time...I know I did.

I like your plan and I might consider adapting something along these lines for our trip.

This is the FIRST i have read about the poison ivy...

I like your plan and I might consider adapting something along these lines for our trip.

This is the FIRST i have read about the poison ivy...

I don't know what it's like from year to year, but last year that stuff was running rampant. There are two types of poison ivy (that I know of anyway), the ground cover type and the climbing type. I saw both kinds in GA. There are areas where the ground cover as far as the eye can see is all poison ivy. There are also areas where there are poison ivy vines all over the trees. And then of course there are areas where both kinds are living in harmony (I mean that in the most sarcastic way as that is an evil plant).

At any rate, don't stress out about it. Just stay on the trail and you should be fine. I didn't get any on myself the whole time I was out there. Also note that all the places I camped did not have any poison ivy...oh wait...there was some in Low Gap, but it was easily avoidable. You can also consider taking something like Zanfel or Tecnu along just to be safe in case you do come in contact with the poison ivy.

If you're 29, used to hiking and have 9 days to hike, why not go from Springer to the NOC? That's a great place to end a hike, and the trail is nice the whole 134 miles. Just a thought.

Happy hiking. :sun

I did that section (Amicalola -> Franklin) in 2006 in the first week in May in 2006. My suggestions:

- don't forget the sunscreen. The leaves will not be out completely and you may get burned if it is sunny

- there will be a fair amount of people hiking the trail at that time. Almost all of them will be going northbound. If you go northbound, you will be more likely to see the same folks at breaks and at shelters.

- as people already mentioned, there are tons of places to camp along the trail besides the shelters. I spent one night at a tentsite a few miles past Neel's gap and another a few miles past Unicoi gap.

- if you are leaving your car at Amicalola, you could skip the hiker hostel on the night before and just get up early and drive there directly. You can then stay at the hiker hostel when you get to Woody gap. That will give you a chance to get a shower, order a pizza, have a great breakfast after 2/3 days of hiking depending on how fast you hike.

- or if you want to hostel at Dick's Creek, resupply again, and grap a town dinner, you may want to consider Cloud 9. It is close to the trail (1.5 miles downhill), has a jacuzzi, etc. You could also get the shuttle from Unicoi gap.

I don't know what it's like from year to year, but last year that stuff was running rampant. <clip>

Oh, that's about normal! This is the south - and poison ivy is everywhere, and is obvious in the summer when it's leafed out and in full growth.

Interesting note. Even in the dead of winter, the urishiol (sp? too lazy to look it up) is potent, and present in stems and roots. If you break a stem, or dig a cat hole in poison ivy roots, you're in the urishiol! Careful out there!

(I'll not belabor the point by providing personal examples to illustrate this!)

you may want to consider Cloud 9. It is close to the trail (1.5 miles downhill), has a jacuzzi, etc.

closed

Urushiol, which is apparently derived from the Japanese word for lacquer, urushi, at least according to this poison ivy fast facts (http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/fastfacts.html) web page.

Woods Hole is also pretty far off the trail. I was there in September and the spring was dry. If you head about a half mile up the trail there is a spring that might still be flowing, it was barely a trickle when I was there. Also, whoever said to avoid the Blood Mtn. shelter had the right idea, it is mouse heaven, but definitely stop there and check out the view. Also, the Tray Mtn. shelter has a great spot to check out the sunrise, it's on the right side of the blue blazed trail.

Oh, that's about normal! This is the south - and poison ivy is everywhere, and is obvious in the summer when it's leafed out and in full growth.....

It ain't just in the South. PA for one has plenty of PI. Some of the renown rocky stretches are plagued with it. So hiking PA in summer, watch out for rocks, PI, and snakes.

Also, whoever said to avoid the Blood Mtn. shelter had the right idea, it is mouse heaven, but definitely stop there and check out the view. Also, the Tray Mtn. shelter has a great spot to check out the sunrise, it's on the right side of the blue blazed trail.


When I first read that the framing on my browser put 'mouse' right below 'blood' and I read it as 'moose heaven'.

That sort of scared me for a second before my double take :)

Woods Hole is also pretty far off the trail. I was there in September and the spring was dry. If you head about a half mile up the trail there is a spring that might still be flowing, it was barely a trickle when I was there. Also, whoever said to avoid the Blood Mtn. shelter had the right idea, it is mouse heaven, but definitely stop there and check out the view. Also, the Tray Mtn. shelter has a great spot to check out the sunrise, it's on the right side of the blue blazed trail.There are some spots to camp up there. Watching the sunset from the rock on Blood is awesome so if you can camp close then you will have a good evening.