Notes: |
This hike is an alternate hike for the originally scheduled Blue Ridge Gap to Dicks Creek Gap hike for February 26, 2011. Due to a predicted saturating rain Thursday night and Friday the access road to Blue Ridge Gap will be in a worse state than it already is. We've decided not to chance getting a vehicle stuck and will re schedule that hike for a later date. |
Trip: |
Appalachian Trail
Cooper Gap to Hightower Gap |
Date: |
February 26, 2011
|
Trip Host: |
Jeremy Landers
770-861-8175 |
Location: |
Appalachian Trail |
Cost: |
Carry cash for fuel sharing & parking. |
Difficulty: |
Moderate - Strenuous |
Length: |
3.5 Miles Cooper Gap to Hightower Gap |
Blaze: |
White Rectangle (Appalachian Trail) |
Departs From: |
Thompson Bridge Kroger
Dahlonega Park & Ride
Dahlonega Walmart |
Departure Time: |
8:00am Thompson Bridge Kroger
8:20am Dahlonega Walmart |
Meals: |
Bring a trail lunch and snacks.
Dinner in Dahlonega afterwards (Optional) |
Transportation: |
POV's with carpooling, or drive on own. If you need transportation you can post an email to the hike group email list.
(Always be prepared to drive your own vehicle if necessary. If you carpool, fuel costs should be shared.)
Car Drop at Each Trail End |
GPS Info: |
NA |
USGS Quad: |
Noontoola, Suches |
Ranger District: |
|
Schedule: |
8:00am Thompson Bridge Kroge
8:20am Dahlonega Walmart -Restroom Break & meet up if needed
9:45am Drop vehicle at Hightower Gap USFS 42 / 69
10:00am Drop vehicle at Cooper Gap USFS 42 / 80 / 15.
10:45pm Summit Sassafras Mtn.
12:00pm Horse Gap
1:45pm Hightower Gap USFS 42 /69
2:00pm Pick up vehicle at Cooper Gap
2:45pm Dahlonega Walmart
3:10pm Arrive Kroger Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville.
All times are approximate and are subject to change without notice! |
Trail Description: |
0.0 Cooper Gap USFS 42 / 80 / 15 (2,828ft) Begin ascent.
0.6 Sumit Sassafras Mtn. (3,336ft) Continue along ridgeline, then descend
1.6 Horse Gap (2,673ft)
3.5 Hightower Gap USFS 42 (2,854ft)
|
Notes: |
Walk at your own pace! Try to walk with someone when possible and try to stay in sight or sound of the main group which means the lead hikers may need to slow or stop to let the rear hikers catch up. This is a good reason to carry a whistle on you at all times. Lead hikers should stop at all trail intersections to let everyone gather before moving forward.
If you need a potty break while on the trail, just let someone know you are leaving the trail for a few moments and have that person wait nearby until you return. If you should feel ill or become weak while hiking, let Jeremy or Marsha know immediately. Do not push yourself forward on the trail under adverse conditions. One of us will work with you to maintain your safety. If you have any medical concerns that need to be known, be certain a hiking partner or Jeremy/Marsha know about any issues that could require immediate attention.
Carpoolers should share the cost of fuel when returning to their base location.
If you have any questions regarding the logistics for this hike, please contact Jeremy Landers. If you are signing up to hike or have transportation issues, contact Jeremy Landers. More info on our hiking plans can be found at: www.LandersStudions.com/gechike
PLEASE - DO NOT CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE REGARDING THE HIKES. THE CHURCH OFFICE DOES NOT HANDLE OUR PLANS NOR ROSTER FOR THIS ACTIVITY. CONTACT JEREMY OR MARSHA DIRECTLY.
Marsha: Email
Jeremy: Email or (770-861-8175 Cell)
Marsha
HIKE AT YOUR OWN PACE - BUT HIKE WITH A PARTNER OR IN SIGHT OR SOUND OF YOUR GROUP FOR SAFETY.
|
Links & Ref. |
http://www.georgia-atclub.org/
Information on Thru-Hiker Certificate & Patch
Certificate Application & Trail Log
http://www.georgia-atclub.org/member/certificate.pdf |
Photos |
|
Map |
http://georgiahike.web105.discountasp.net/maps/bin/AT_Hightower_to_Woody.jpg
Includes Elevations |
Directions: |
View Larger Map |
Reservations: |
Contact Jeremy Landers
770-861-8175
*Special Notice Regarding Hikers Under 18 Years of Age!
|
Post Trip Review: |
February 26, 2011
Only two of us hiked today. Left Kroger shortly after 8am and arrived at Cooper Gap about 9am. Dropped vehicle at Hightower and returned to Cooper, begain hike about 9:30am. Climbed the steep ascent of Sassafrass Mt. out of Cooper Gap. Great weather, for hiking, cool, clear, & sunny. Continued over the top of Sassafrass and descended into Horse Gap (Note: There is a parking here along USFS 42). From Horse Gap we again had a steep climb out of the Gap to where we could crusie along the ridgeline before dropping and climbing again. Lunched in a spot with Westerly views and a light breeze before headding onwards to Hightower Gap and my truck. Back to Cooper Gap by 1:30pm. Saw one thru - hiker, two others, plus a group of scouts. There was also a bike race on the FS road on our way back to Cooper.
Sorry no photos to share from this trip. |