GA Water Report for Labor Day Hikers - Amicalola to Unicoi Gap

[FatMan]

There are several threads discussing water availability in GA so I have decided to do a single thread instead of addressing each one individually.

[Lnj]

From the visitors center today at noon, they say it's dry on the approach to Springer, but from others here I have heard there is plenty if you take the Hike Inn trail.

[FatMan]

There are several threads discussing water availability in GA so I have decided to do a single thread instead of addressing each one individually.

Oops...let's continue.

All reports are either first hand this week or second hand through discussions with hikers this week.

The Approach Trail is Dry.
Four hikers this week have confirmed Springer Shelter is running but weak. (Springer had previously been dry so this can change day to day)
Some little stream are running between Springer and Stover Creek (had been dry, could go away by the weekend)
Stover Creek Shelter is dry
Stover Creek and all creeks that join at Three Forks are running.
Long Creek Falls is running.
Hawk Mtn Shelter is running.
Ron Brown is leaving water jugs at Cooper Gap on a pretty regular basis.
Justus and Blackwell Creeks are running.
Gooch Mtn Shelter is running and the best water on the AT in GA. Piped spring that I drink from untreated 4-5 times a week.
Gooch Gap is running but about .2 miles downhill.
Woody Gap is dry.
Lance Creek is running.
Jarrard Gap is dry.
Woods Hole Shelter is dry.
Slaughter Creek trail spring is dry.
Neels has water behind MXing
Next water is Low Gap Shelter (Whitley Gap Shelter is running but 1.2 miles off AT)
Chattahoochee Gap is running.
Blue Mtn Shelter is running.

I do not have much solid knowledge north of Unicoi Gap other than lots of sources are dry. I do know that Dicks Creek is running.

Weather should be spectacular Fri thru Monday with highs at elevation in the upper 70's and lows in the mid 50's. And best of all, the humidity has finally lowered some. Unfortunately it is supposed to really warm up later in the week.

I hope everyone has a great hike.

[FatMan]

From the visitors center today at noon, they say it's dry on the approach to Springer, but from others here I have heard there is plenty if you take the Hike Inn trail.

There are I believe two streams on the Hike Inn Trail and I suspect the Hike Inn will let you fill up. If you take the Hike Inn trail on the way to Springer I think it adds about 2 miles.

[Lnj]

Thanks for the recap Fatman. It's supposed to rain Friday too, so maybe some of the dryness will have gained a drop for the weekend if they get a good enough rain.

[Venchka]

Chances are good to excellent that the tropical storm will recharge the AT.
Wayne


Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."

[Uncle Joe]

Great report Fatman!

[daddytwosticks]

Thanks for the info, FatMan! You are a great resource for that part of the Georgia AT.

[Bubbabuzz]

Thanks for the leg work and intel, FatMan!

[Lnj]

Chances are good to excellent that the tropical storm will recharge the AT.
Wayne


Old. Slow. "Smarter than the average bear."

Fingers and toes are crossed...

[FatMan]

A bump for those heading out today.

I will be out on the trail for the next four hours and will update on my return if I hear anything new.

[FatMan]

Oh, and I wouldn't count on Hermine helping out. We have all of .12 inches in the forecast today and then clear for the next six days. But weather forecasts up here can change by the hour.

[Dogwood]

AF SP and SOME other N. GA locations experienced heavy rainfall last night Sept 1 2016.

[[email protected]]

Hermine will most likely dump most of it's water east of the AT - so, don't count on it helping out too much. Initial report from friend returning from Atlanta this a.m. - little to no effect from Hermine.

[FatMan]

The storm has moved way west from here and we have not had a drop of rain. The good news is that the high today up here was only 73 and the weather is supposed to be spectacular this weekend. It will get quite hot later in the week though.

[FatMan]

I meant east of here. Too much beer after my hike today.

[jboggg]

Whitly Gap spring was totally dry today. I was hunting on the far side of Adams Bald and was counting on refilling my water bottles before making the climb back out. Completely out of water the hike out was zero fun. It was flowing strong just two weeks ago. Lesson learned.

[FatMan]

Whitly Gap spring was totally dry today. I was hunting on the far side of Adams Bald and was counting on refilling my water bottles before making the climb back out. Completely out of water the hike out was zero fun. It was flowing strong just two weeks ago. Lesson learned.

I heard this too. Thanks for the confirmation. It is getting really bad up and down the trail in GA. Whitley Gap is one of the most reliable springs around. I also have heard that Hawk Mtn and Blue Mtn Shelters have gone dry too.

[generoll]

FWIW, shuttlers are dropping off water at Tesnatee, Hog Pen, Unicoi and other points as the drive by.

[PilgrimAL]

Did springer to Neels gap get any rain this past weekend when the cold front came thru? Hoping for rain since we plan to hike this section Occt 3 and I drink a lot of water! Planning to camp at Hawk-Justus-Lance.