Unicoi Gap to Neels Gap

[Uncle Wayne]

Tripper and I are hoping to hike this 20 miles Friday and Saturday this week. We've had a dry April / May in North Alabama and some of the springs we use in the Sipsey Wilderness are very slow or even dry. I was wondering if the springs mentioned in the Data Book are dependable along this section of the trail this year?
Depending on Tripper's dad condition, (he's had two heart attacks recently but is stable and at home now) we hope to start late Thursday, spend the night at Blue Mountain Shelter and finish at Neels Gap Saturday. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

[generoll]

my recollection from hiking that section in March was that there is ample water between Unicoi Gap and Hog Pen Gap, but that it was rather dry from there to Neels. I went off trail a bit and spent the night at the Whitley Gap shelter. great water there, a picnic table, and bear cables.

[BookBurner]

Any water sources mentioned in the DataBook are dependable this year. We actually have had a surplus of rain in the Georgia mountains this spring for the first time in a while, as well as below average temperatures. You should be fine. Enjoy!

-- BookBurner
www.enlightenedthruhiker.com

[Nearly Normal]

It's not far from Unicoi to Blue Mountain Shelter. That can be a very good place or a coooollllddddd one. Good view. The Water source is past the shelter with a small pool right off the trail. I rocky section and pretty far compared to most shelter sources.
The water at Low Gap Shelter is 2 creeks. One beside and one below the shelter. They come together below the shelter. The shelter has bear bag cables, I don't remember if Blue Mountain does.
You'll be glad going south on wildcat mountain. When I hiked that section in Oct.it was nasty cold and windy. Saw 2 bears. One close to Hogpen gap (small) and one about a mile south of Low Gap Shelter. A big one running fast.
It's a great section.
I found it moderate to tough going North.
Enjoy!
Pete

[digger51]

There was also a nice water flow at Tesnatee Gap on the downside of Wildcat Mtn. Plenty of water along your walk as of late April.