I went with my parents on a backpack from Woody Gap to Springer last week. As part of my Boy Scout Backpacking merit badge work, I have decided to report to other hikers if the common water sources were flowing or not, since it has been dry. I took pictures of most of the water holes and my dad recorded their location with his GPS. Please download the attached kmz file and open it in Google Earth. Click on each picture icon for larger picture and location.
Woody Gap - dry according to ranger at Amicalola SP. we did not check.
West of Woody - found small creek (1) but it was dry
Gooch Gap - did not check. Water from Trail Angel Survivor Dave. Thanks Dave.
Near Gooch gap - 2 - found small drain
Gooch Mtn shelter - med flow but okay to pump out of -3
Blackwell creek 5 minutes south of Gooch mtn shelter - good flow. - 4
Justis creek - good - no picture.
Trail Angel water was at Cooper Gap
Hightower Gap - 5- Army left water tank.
Hawk Mtn Shelter - no pic - water flow was good.
Stover Creek Shelter - Official water source beside shelter was dry. Creek 5 minutes north (7) was good. Also creek 5 minutes south(9) was good.
8 is small wet spot
Small drain -10- north of parking lot north of springer
The spring at Springer was very slow. (11) My dad would pump , then pause to let the small hole, right under the pipe, refill.
Good luck on your hike