Apr 02

NC Trail Maintenance Day. 

Old Copper Road Trail along Ocoee River in TN.  Easy 4.8 mile round trip starting at the Ocoee Whitewater Center on the Old Copper Road built in 1851, then along the Ocoee River for 2.4 miles to TVA Dam #3.  4 foot bridges and beautiful river views, old apple trees, stone foundations and hand-laid walls.  Picnic tables and pit toilets at 2.4 mile mark.   $3 parking fee.  $5 carpool.

Benton MacKaye Trail from Hwy. 60 across Toonowee Mountain to the suspension bridge and return for 7.2 miles ( ≈3:40 hrs) round trip.  Elevation change 800 ft. in, 900 ft out.  Carpool amount $5.00.

Raven Cliffs Trail.  Scenic 5 mile round trip hike along a cascading mountain stream to towering cliffs with 2 waterfalls (≈ 3:30 hrs).  Some difficult footing due to erosion.  Carpool amount $2.00 .

Choestoe Baptist Church parking lot on Hwy. 180.                                                                             Janet Faist 706-781-2634 & Sandra Key 706-835-2692

Woody Gap to Neels Gap on the AT.  11 mile shuttle hike ascending and descending including climbs over Big Cedar and Blood Mts.  Maybe we’ll see late thru-hikers on their way to Katahdin (bring extra food).  Paced hike at 2+ mph.  Carpool amount $5.00.

Byron Herbert Reese parking area on Hwy. 129 near Neels Gap.                                                            Doug Haas 770-410-1738

Georgia Trail Maintenance Day. 

Unicoi Turnpike Trail near Coker Creek, TN.  Easy 2.5 miles one-way from Unicoi Gap to Doc Rogers Field, mostly downhill.  Along the way, the grave of a Union soldier and the relics of Rolling Stone CCC Camp.  Short shuttle on well-maintained road.  Carpool amount $5.00.  Option:  After hike, take a boat ride up to see North Shoal Creek Falls followed by dinner at Butch Horn and Liz Carter’s.  Reservations (Liz or Butch 828-644-0645) required by Friday 4/17 for dinner and boat ride.

SE corner of Hwyw. 64 and 19/129 in NC.                                                                                          Elizabeth Carter 828-644-0645

Trails of the Ocoee River.  Good 7+ mile hike, starting at Thunder Rock Campground, climbs the Benton MacKaye Trail moderately, then to the Ocoee WW Center.  Return to vehicles via Rhododendron Trail along the river.  $5 carpool.  Option:  After hike, take a boat ride to see North Shoal Creek Falls followed by dinner at Butch Horn and Liz Carter’s.  Liz will provide soup, salad, bread, and cookies – please bring a snack.  Reservations (Liz or Butch 828-644-0645) required by Friday 4/17 for dinner and boat ride. 

Woody Gap over Big Cedar Mt. to Miller Gap on the AT, then down Dockery Lake Trail for 6.4 miles, with wild azaleas and Carolina silverbells.  Optional wildflower walk in Sosebee Cove.  Shuttle.  $5 carpool.   

Choestoe Baptist Church parking lot on Hwy. 180.                                                                            Jean Caputa 706-379-2496

Chunky Gal from the AT to Glade Gap.  7 strenuous miles.  From Deep Gap we will hike on the old AT to the start of Chunky Gal and then down to Glade Gap.  Shuttle required.  Carpool amount $5.00

May 05    (B2)      09:00

Park Creek Trail with crossover to Park Ridge Trail in Standing Indian area.  5 miles with some stream crossings  ( ≈ 3:30 hrs ).  A favorite spring hike because of beautiful wildflower display.  $5 carpool.

Ingles parking lot in Hayesville                                                                                                      Joyce & Gene Hall 706-781-9816

May 05    (C4) vv# # 08:00

Arkaquah Trail from Trackrock Gap to Brasstown Bald parking lot, then down to Jacks Gap for a total of  7.8 strenuous miles. Trail ascends 2,100 ft & descends 1,400 ft. Spectacular views.  Carpool amt  $5.

Jacks Gap to Brasstown Bald on the Jacks Knob and Summit Trail.  This 6 mile round trip hike climbs 1800 feet to the top of Georgia’s highest peak. (≈ 4:30 hrs.)

Jacks Gap at the base of Brasstown Bald on Hwy. 180.                                                                   Wayne & Myra Whitney 706-745-5112

NEW HIKE – fantastic views & proudly maintained by MHH.  Fires Creek Rim Trail Series Challenge #1.  Start at Leatherwood Falls Picnic Area and follow Rim Trail #72, via Shortoff Knob 3830 ft at mile 3.4, Big Peachtree Bald 4150 ft at mile 4.2, Will King Gap 3715 ft at mile 5.3, and on to Big Stamp (once the site of a lookout tower) 4437 ft at mile 8.  Then descend steeply on the Rockhouse Creek Trail #387 for 2.3 miles down to shuttle car on FS 340A 2.8 miles from the picnic area.  Hike paced at 2+ mph.  $5 carpool.

May 14 08:00

NC Trail Maintenance Day. 

Rockhouse Creek Trail #387 in and out in the Fires Creek Area.  2.3 miles with 2000 ft. climb from FS 340A up to Big Stamp (once the site of a lookout tower), then back.  4.6 miles round trip.  $5.00 carpool.

Ingles parking lot in Hayesville.                                                                                                  Jack Dugger 706-781-3377

Byron H. Reece Parking area to Woods Hole Shelter on the AT, returning on the Freeman Trail. (7.5 miles, ≈ 4:30 hrs).

May 21 08:00

Georgia Trail Maintenance Day. 

Unicoi Gap north on the AT to a mile past Indian Grave, return to Indian Grave and out on the Andrews Cove Trail.  6 miles.

Unicoi Gap on Hwy. 75 south of Hiawassee.                                                                               Roland & Barbara Hardee 828-389-2359

Chunky Gal Trail from Bob Allison Campground to Tusquitee Bald.  7 strenuous miles round trip with 2,200 ft elevation gain.  After many crossings of Tuni Creek and through giant hickories and old growth hemlocks, arrive at 5240 ft. summit of Tusquitee Bald for (newly cleared) spectacular views.  Carpool amount  $5.00.

Ingles parking lot in Hayesville.                                                                                                 Frank Ensenat 828-644-0493

Tesnatee Gap on the Richard Russell Highway to Whitley Gap Shelter and return.  4 mile (3:20 hr) r/t with magnificent views from the ridge top.  Good late May/early June hike due to flowers.  $5 carpool.

Choestoe Baptist Church parking lot on Hwy. 180.                                                                     George Jurand 828-837-8516

Addis Gap over Kelly Knob on the AT to Deep Gap Shelter and return on Forest Service road.  7 miles.   Trail climbs 1,000 ft. in 1.1 miles.  Side trip to spectacular waterfall.  Carpool amount $5.00

NC Trail Maintenance Day. 

Wagon Train Trail from Brasstown Bald parking lot to Young Harris College.  This is a 6.5 mile hike, but it’s all down hill.  Shuttle or key exchange required.  Carpool amount is $2.00

Sharp Memorial Methodist Church on Hwy. 76 in Young Harris.                                               Jack Butler 706- 745-8656

Mooney Gap to Timber Ridge Trail in the Standing Indian Area.  8.7 miles.  At Mooney Gap go south on the AT for 5 miles, then down 2.5 miles on the Timber Ridge Trail, and finish up with 1.2 miles to Big Laurel Falls.  Shuttle required.  Carpool amount $5.00.

Dicks Creek Gap north to Cowart Gap on the AT.  This is a 3.6 mile ( ≈2:30 hrs) round trip hike with some moderate ascending and descending in both directions.  $5 carpool.

Macedonia Baptist Church parking lot east of Hiawassee.                                                       Jim Holliman 706-896-1426

Unicoi Turnpike Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail.  (New hike) Come walk some actual pieces of the famous Cherokee Trail of Tears of 200 years ago, then the Benton MacKaye Trail for 7 miles total.  Moderate pace for warm June in SE TN.  Trip includes CCC camp site and side trip to Buck Bald’s vista.

June 18 08:00

Georgia Trail Maintenance Day. 

Lake Winfield Scott-Jarrard Gap- Slaughter Gap loop. This is a pleasant 6 mile (≈3:30 hr) hike with moderate ascents and descents. ($5.00 or Golden Age Pass at Lake Winfield Scott).  $2 carpool.

NEW HIKE under 9 miles & proudly maintained by MHH.  Fires Creek Rim Trail Series Challenge Hike #4.  Hike up Far Bald Trail #389 1.7 steep miles to the Rim, then turn right and continue about 6 miles on the Rim past Potrock Bald and on to Carver Gap, then down the Bristol Cabin Trail #76 1.0 mile to Bristol Horse Camp.  Shuttle required.  Carpool amount $5.00.

Turtletown Creek Falls, near Farner, TN.  A moderate 4 mile (3 hr) round trip hike to two of the prettiest waterfalls in the area.  Hiking sticks recommended.   Good summer hike.  $5 carpool.

Pickens Nose in the Standing Indian Area. 10.4 miles in and out.  Start at Bearpen Trail to the AT, then right to Mooney Gap, then left on FSR 83 to Pickens Nose Trail for outstanding views.  Paced hike at 2+ mph.  (Members of Nantahala Hiking Club–-the maintaining club-–are invited.)  MHH carpool $5.00.