Mid November section hike from Spriner to Unicoi gap trail conditions.

[Big_Country]

Looking for any information or advise on trail conditions, typical weather, temps, water sources, etc.
I will be starting a section hike from Springer on the 10-11th of November. Plan on hiking to Unicoi, and then shuttling back to Springer.

Cheers,

B_C

[soumodeler]

Trail should be fine, water shouldn't be an issue. I would watch the weather starting a week ahead to get a better idea. I use Weather Underground and look at the station above Suches, GA for that section of trail. It seems to be pretty accurate. Overall I wouldn't expect the weather to be terrible or super cold, but a storm could come through.

As a note, a shuttle back to Springer is more expensive than to Amicalola Falls if you don't mind the extra hike. You can skip the stairs if you want to. I recommend Ron Brown for that area, great guy. He does prefer to shuttle you to start your trip, so park at Unicoi, shuttle to your start, and then walk to your car. It removes the time guessing game at the end.

[skater]

The Guthook app is probably the best, most up-to-date source of information on water sources. Most of the non-seasonal sources are in decent shape, with a few exceptions.

[ncwild]

I got a shuttle from "Ron Brown" from Woody Gap back to the top of Amicalola Falls back in August. Ron advised me there was no water for a six mile section between Hawk Mountain and Justus Creek, and he was correct. This was August though, so maybe better now.

[Slo-go'en]

I got a shuttle from "Ron Brown" from Woody Gap back to the top of Amicalola Falls back in August. Ron advised me there was no water for a six mile section between Hawk Mountain and Justus Creek, and he was correct. This was August though, so maybe better now.

A 6 miles section without water! OMG!

I believe that is true year round, as there are no water sources along that stretch of trail. Except for a stream 0.4 miles north of Hawk and that hardly counts.

[full conditions]

Most years, November is my favorite time to hike the AT in Georgia and this year probably more so than ever as we've gotten a very late start on fall foliage and the water situation is fairly good. Hard to predict temperatures but it rarely gets crazy cold down there till after Christmas (although I did a Thanksgiving hike back in the '70's that brought 6" of snow and overnight temps in the teens down near Unicoi Gap). While you wont have the trail completely to yourself crowding shouldn't be an issue (a few sobos finishing up, etc...). Hope you have a great trip.

[Dogwood]

A 6 miles section without water! OMG!

I believe that is true year round, as there are no water sources along that stretch of trail. Except for a stream 0.4 miles north of Hawk and that hardly counts.

Haven't you heard? There's a new Starbucks Hiker Cafe at Horse Gap. Discounts to all who bring in their own cup.

[soumodeler]

That 6 mile stretch is not a seasonal thing, there are simply no water sources along it. It is not that bad of a stretch. Sometimes you will find water jugs left at Cooper Gap, but you cannot count on it, especially after thru hiker season.

[Big_Country]

Thanks to all for the insights. Soumodeler and NCwild, thank you for the shuttle rec, and water info. I will be hitting up Ron for the shuttle. Gonna carry an extra 2L through that area.

Cheers,

B_C

[JC13]

That 6 mile stretch is not a seasonal thing, there are simply no water sources along it. It is not that bad of a stretch. Sometimes you will find water jugs left at Cooper Gap, but you cannot count on it, especially after thru hiker season.

Ron usually puts those out, as mentioned, Ron is a wealth of knowledge and a great guy.