2/17/09 Appalachian Trail – Woody Gap, GA

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Doug Russell ,Pom Sinnock and Dave Standard.

TRAIL INFORMATION – Parking at Woody Gap and hiking northward toward Blood Mountain we enjoyed great mountain views along the way. The trail takes you past Lunsford Gap (3330 feet). From the gap the trail becomes more moderate as it climbs via a series of switchbacks to Preaching Rock at 1.0 miles. This rock face gives awesome mountain views. From Preaching Rock, the trail continues to climb along the eastern ridge, almost cresting Big cedar Mountain at 3721 ft. and then gradually loses elevation along moderate and easy terrain to Dan Gap at 2.0 miles. From Dan Gap, the AT continues down to the western slope of Granny Top. It continues the downgrade to mile 2.6 where it meets Miller Gap at 3005 ft. Miller Gap also marks the end of the Dockery Lake trail that leads to Dockery Lake Campground. From Miller Gap, the trail continues north along a moderate climb along the eastern side of Baker Mountain. The trail climbs to the ridge top before finally dropping to Henry Gap at 3.7 miles (3100 ft). We continued about a mile past Henry Gap and had lunch before returning.

Directions: Take Hwy. 129 N from Cleveland, GA for about 15 mi. then turn left at Turner’s Corner and travel several miles to Hwy 60 (rock pile) turn right and drive to the top of the mountain to the A.T. crossing at Woody Gap.

Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and cold with temperatures ranging from the upper 20’s to the mid 40’s F. Hiking distance – 9.2 miles.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Raven, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, American Crow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse and Dark-eyed Junco.