3/2/2016 Appalachian Trail – Indian Grave Gap to Tray Mountain – GA

Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Indian Grave Gap to Tray Mountain, GA and back.

HIKERS – Suzanne Belflower, Mike Bell, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Joe Collins, Stephen Gales, Kanchan Garg, Tim Hale, David Hinson, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Trushna Nadig, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Tony Presley.

TRAIL INFO. – This section of the A.T. is beautiful with lots of great mountain views. The terrain is very hilly as typical of the Georgia portion of the Appalachian Trail.We met 12 thru-hikers today 56 miles into their 2,200 plus mile journey to Mt. Katahdin Maine.

Directions: Drive North from Helen, GA on Hwy 75 up the mountain past Unicoi Gap (A.T. crossing) and continue down the other side of the mountain and turn right onto Indian Grave Gap Rd. (F.S. Rd 283) and drive about 3.5 miles to the Indian Grave Gap parking lot.

Another great day for a hike! Mostly Cloudy and a light breeze. Temperatures mostly in the upper 40’s to low 50’s F. Total distance – 5+ mi. mostly strenuous.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Crow and Junco.

Our access road today

We have to ford the creek!

Parking at Indian Grave Gap

Another great day for a hike!

The A.T. crosses the Forest Service Rd. here.

We get our first good view of Tray Mountain!

12 Thru-hikers Today! Full sized photos in the additional photos at the bottom of this page.

We approach Tray Gap!

The Tray Gap parking lot is muddy!

The final mile is a steady climb up Tray Mt.

Entering the Tray Mountain Wilderness Area.

Lunchtime at Tray Mountain!

The foggy view from Tray Mt.!

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Mike Bell, John Bellamhy, June Bellamy, Tony Presley, Tim Hale, David Hinson, Mary Lu Norton, Suzanne Belflower, Trushna Nadig, Dave Norton, Kanchan Garg, Stephen Gales and Joe Collins.