trailhead directions needed asap PLEASE

[leek]

need response asap. need idiot-proof directions from River's End NOC (North Carolina) to Mooney Gap trailhead. leaving early am tomorrow(Thu) to start A.T. section hike

[bulldog49]

There is this invention called maps. They really come in handy for just this reason.

[Kerosene]

From the AT Parking Guide (http://rohland.homedns.org/at/state/state_detail/AT_state_detail.aspx?stateID=10+&sectionID=97), Milemarker 8.2 of Section 25 for Mooney Gap:

Forest Service Road 83 crosses the AT at Mooney Gap. There are two ways to reach this point. Both these access roads will be closed during the Winter, Jan. through mid-March. A) From the South the easiest access is to turn West off US 23/441 just South of Otto, NC, at the sign for the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratories. Follow the signs right into Coweeta Labs, take the LEFT fork as you enter (Ball Creek Rd.) and follow this one-lane dirt road all the way up the mountain and past the Anthonys Nose Trail, then about 3/4 mile downhill to Mooney Gap. Watch for the AT blazes, the gap is not marked. B) From the North or West, use US 64. From Franklin, follow US 64 West 11.4 miles (from overpass where US 23 goes South to Atlanta) to left turn at sign saying Appalachian Trail and Standing Indian Campground. Follow this road (Old Rt. 64) 1.9 miles to sign reading Standing Indian Campground and turn right on paved road (FS67). Follow this road past Standing Indian Campground (keep left at campground entrance), and it turns into a gravel road. Follow the gravel road for another 8 miles to a junction with FS 83. Turn right on FS 83 and go about 3/4 mile to Mooney Gap.

[leek]

Thank you for your response. This was very timely, considering I am hitting the trail tommorrow. Happy Trails... ~Lee

[Ox97GaMe]

Easy directions, although might be a bit longer distance....

From NOC take 74 over to 441S to Franklin NC. Head toward Atlanta. About 5 miles or so S. of town, you will see a big sign for Hydrological Station. Turn right. That road will take you into Mooney Gap.

You can also leave your vehicle in Frankln and have Ron Haven shuttle you out to Mooney Gap.

[generoll]

parking is slim to non-existant at Mooney Gap. a shuttle would be a good idea.