View Full Version : Springer to Dicks Creek Gap US 76
I may knock this section out in two weeks. It will be my first hike in GA. Anyone know how things are currently through this section? I don't mind people but hate a crowd. Any bear canister requirements here? Any places I must to check out? Hiawasee looks really cool. Thanks!
Gambit McCrae
04-30-2019, 09:34
Bear canister required for the 7ish miles south of Neel gap. If you do not camp in that section(search for exact stretch it is required) then the canister is not needed.
Ill tell ya one of my favorite spots in GA was Helen, GA.
If you avoid the shelters then you can enjoy some really nice tenting in GA. There is a spot (dry) about 3 miles north of Gooch Gap that was spectacular last month.
Bear canister required for the 7ish miles south of Neel gap. If you do not camp in that section(search for exact stretch it is required) then the canister is not needed.
Ill tell ya one of my favorite spots in GA was Helen, GA.
If you avoid the shelters then you can enjoy some really nice tenting in GA. There is a spot (dry) about 3 miles north of Gooch Gap that was spectacular last month.
Thank you sir. That’s what I wanted to hear!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
mclaught
04-30-2019, 14:32
Just got back from Springer to Woody, we didn't stay at shelters and only saw a few people on the trail itself. Springer was crowded on Thursday, and the immediate area around Woody Gap was a circus on Saturday, but other than that, there were very few people out there once you got away from the parking lots.
Just got back from Springer to Woody, we didn't stay at shelters and only saw a few people on the trail itself. Springer was crowded on Thursday, and the immediate area around Woody Gap was a circus on Saturday, but other than that, there were very few people out there once you got away from the parking lots.
Awesome, appreciate it!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
BAontheTrail
04-30-2019, 15:18
Perfect timing on this thread as I'm planning on doing this same section at the start of June.
I am interested in advice on best place(s) to park a car near Dick's Creek Gap, and best ways to get back to the Southern Terminus.
Perfect timing on this thread as I'm planning on doing this same section at the start of June.
I am interested in advice on best place(s) to park a car near Dick's Creek Gap, and best ways to get back to the Southern Terminus.
I think there’s a good size parking area at the trail crossing on US 76. I haven’t heard of any problems with cars being left there. I’m allowing myself 6 days for the section so I share the same concern.
Talk to Ron for a ride, he’s been great to work with for me so far. https://m.facebook.com/Rons-Appalachian-Trail-Shuttle-174270272614034/
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I don't like parking at Dicks Creek because I can't ever get a good spot. See link below - if it works, otherwise pull up Dicks Creek Gap in google maps and use the street view option. Looks bigger here than it is because its mostly a semi-circle drive, with a small section for 6-7 cars parked normal. As you can see, there are plenty of other cars parked along the side and way over in the grass, which is the norm on just about any day.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9121095,-83.618839,3a,75y,24.62h,70.99t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2HYAspA2zA3TRJu58aWqAQ!2e0!6s% 2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D2HYAspA2zA3TR Ju58aWqAQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_ sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26y aw%3D60.892017%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i1331 2!8i6656
I would call the Top of Ga hostel to see if you could park there. Have them shuttle you to far trailhead and hike back to car. Its a short walk there from Dicks Creek Gap.
I may knock this section out in two weeks. It will be my first hike in GA. Anyone know how things are currently through this section? I don't mind people but hate a crowd. Any bear canister requirements here? Any places I must to check out? Hiawasee looks really cool. Thanks!
There will be plenty of campsites, so don't try to plan so much as just enjoy the hiking. While the cannister restriction is limited from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap, I would expect bear activity any where between Lance Creek and Wolf Laurel Top. Shouldn't be an issue if you stay at Big Cedar and hike to Cowrock, which I would suggest doing anyway for the views.
There will be plenty of campsites, so don't try to plan so much as just enjoy the hiking. While the cannister restriction is limited from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap, I would expect bear activity any where between Lance Creek and Wolf Laurel Top. Shouldn't be an issue if you stay at Big Cedar and hike to Cowrock, which I would suggest doing anyway for the views.
Sounds good, thank you so much!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
dankwizard22
05-01-2019, 10:39
I stayed 1.8 miles south of Lance Creek last week at a cool tent site right beside a water source. Started at Hawk Mtn tentsite that morning. Planned to push to Lance but it was late and I figured it was super crowded (found out later there would have been nowhere for me to tent at Lance). If you stay anywhere around Lance you can push through the canister area pretty easy the next day.
Spoke with a ridgerunner at Gooch Mountain shelter on my trip and he mentioned they hadn't had any bear activity so far this year other than at Springer Mountain.
Nolan "Guido" Jordan
05-01-2019, 17:25
I did the same exact section just a month ago. So you're going only 70 miles in two weeks? That's only 5 miles a day. (Not trying to be pushy, but you might have other plans).
You probably already know, but just making sure you know that you need a bear canister if you're gonna stay between Jarrard Gap and Neels Gap (only a 5-mile section). Everywhere else, it's okay to hang your food. I know that at least Black Gap Shelter (Approach Trail) and Stover Creek Shelter have giant bear boxes you can keep your food in at night. I didn't visit any other shelters besides Low Gap which doesn't have a box.
If you plan to send a bounce box, send it to Neels Gap. It's just a $1 fee to pick it up.
The trail conditions were top notch. It's still the rainy season, so you may get wet once or twice
If you have any more questions, I'd love to help out since I recently just did it.
-Guido
I stayed 1.8 miles south of Lance Creek last week at a cool tent site right beside a water source. Started at Hawk Mtn tentsite that morning. Planned to push to Lance but it was late and I figured it was super crowded (found out later there would have been nowhere for me to tent at Lance). If you stay anywhere around Lance you can push through the canister area pretty easy the next day.
Spoke with a ridgerunner at Gooch Mountain shelter on my trip and he mentioned they hadn't had any bear activity so far this year other than at Springer Mountain.
Good info! Appreciate it!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I did the same exact section just a month ago. So you're going only 70 miles in two weeks? That's only 5 miles a day. (Not trying to be pushy, but you might have other plans).
You probably already know, but just making sure you know that you need a bear canister if you're gonna stay between Jarrard Gap and Neels Gap (only a 5-mile section). Everywhere else, it's okay to hang your food. I know that at least Black Gap Shelter (Approach Trail) and Stover Creek Shelter have giant bear boxes you can keep your food in at night. I didn't visit any other shelters besides Low Gap which doesn't have a box.
If you plan to send a bounce box, send it to Neels Gap. It's just a $1 fee to pick it up.
The trail conditions were top notch. It's still the rainy season, so you may get wet once or twice
If you have any more questions, I'd love to help out since I recently just did it.
-Guido
5 miles a day, HA!
Thanks for the info Guido. Did you park on 76?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Someone mentioned a June hike. The bear canister restriction ends June 1 and will not start up again until March 1 2020.
Mockernut
05-02-2019, 08:21
I park at Dick's Creek Gap often and have never had a problem but have also never left a car there for more than 2 days. It is a small lot and on weekends is often full. if you can park there on a weekday, you should be fine. You could also do this in reverse, leaving your car at Springer or Amicalola Falls which both have better, safer parking. I actually enjoy doing the Georgia section southbound but have done it both ways and it's pretty similar either direction.
I park at Dick's Creek Gap often and have never had a problem but have also never left a car there for more than 2 days. It is a small lot and on weekends is often full. if you can park there on a weekday, you should be fine. You could also do this in reverse, leaving your car at Springer or Amicalola Falls which both have better, safer parking. I actually enjoy doing the Georgia section southbound but have done it both ways and it's pretty similar either direction.
10-4 thank you!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nolan "Guido" Jordan
05-02-2019, 09:22
I got a shuttle down to Hiawassee, did not park.
BAontheTrail
05-02-2019, 09:29
Someone mentioned a June hike. The bear canister restriction ends June 1 and will not start up again until March 1 2020.
Awesome, and thanks for the info!
BAontheTrail
05-02-2019, 09:38
I think there’s a good size parking area at the trail crossing on US 76. I haven’t heard of any problems with cars being left there. I’m allowing myself 6 days for the section so I share the same concern.
Talk to Ron for a ride, he’s been great to work with for me so far. https://m.facebook.com/Rons-Appalachian-Trail-Shuttle-174270272614034/
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Will definitely give Ron a call! Any experience with Ron vs. the folks at Top of GA Hostel? I'm a bit put off by things I've heard/read about top of GA.
I don't like parking at Dicks Creek because I can't ever get a good spot. See link below - if it works, otherwise pull up Dicks Creek Gap in google maps and use the street view option. Looks bigger here than it is because its mostly a semi-circle drive, with a small section for 6-7 cars parked normal. As you can see, there are plenty of other cars parked along the side and way over in the grass, which is the norm on just about any day.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9121095,-83.618839,3a,75y,24.62h,70.99t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2HYAspA2zA3TRJu58aWqAQ!2e0!6s% 2F%2Fgeo2.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D2HYAspA2zA3TR Ju58aWqAQ%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_ sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26y aw%3D60.892017%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i1331 2!8i6656
I would call the Top of Ga hostel to see if you could park there. Have them shuttle you to far trailhead and hike back to car. Its a short walk there from Dicks Creek Gap.
Thanks, and the link worked. Boy, does that look like it'll get packed quickly!
Will definitely give Ron a call! Any experience with Ron vs. the folks at Top of GA Hostel? I'm a bit put off by things I've heard/read about top of GA.
Thanks, and the link worked. Boy, does that look like it'll get packed quickly!
Haven’t spoke to anyone but Ron. I guess I’ll take my chances with the parking, may have to put the 4x4 to work.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
FWIW, just thought I'd add that I see many of these first section hikes planned Springer to DCG (or Ga border), presumably in lieu of doing an actual thru hike and likely with the idea that the section hiking will continue in similar direction - therefore, there seems to be a notion of doing it Nobo as a preference. I think once you're out there, you realize it doesn't matter, and other things become more important.
For instance, I would rather have my car parked at Amicalola (even for a fee) than leaving out at DCG, especially if I don't have a good spot. Not only that, but Amicalola is a great place to end a hike. Sure you have to do the approach trail, but it trends downhill Sobo (everything in Ga in up and down, so not like there aren't any ups on the Approach Sobo) and if you can't afford to do the extra miles, you call for shuttle from Springer - or get one of the many visitors to let you ride with them out.
Just my 2cents for the both of you, and others who might read this.
Haven’t spoke to anyone but Ron. I guess I’ll take my chances with the parking, may have to put the 4x4 to work.
Can call Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi and they can refer you to shuttle contacts.
FWIW, just thought I'd add that I see many of these first section hikes planned Springer to DCG (or Ga border), presumably in lieu of doing an actual thru hike and likely with the idea that the section hiking will continue in similar direction - therefore, there seems to be a notion of doing it Nobo as a preference. I think once you're out there, you realize it doesn't matter, and other things become more important.
For instance, I would rather have my car parked at Amicalola (even for a fee) than leaving out at DCG, especially if I don't have a good spot. Not only that, but Amicalola is a great place to end a hike. Sure you have to do the approach trail, but it trends downhill Sobo (everything in Ga in up and down, so not like there aren't any ups on the Approach Sobo) and if you can't afford to do the extra miles, you call for shuttle from Springer - or get one of the many visitors to let you ride with them out.
Just my 2cents for the both of you, and others who might read this.
Yep, this is probably the best option for us. I usually just hike the direction of home to save some time, in this case about 1.5 hour drive, but we will probably spend a night in Hiawassee upon completion anyway so not a big deal.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk