| Data Updated: |
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 8:03:43 AM |
| Status: |
Canceled
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| Trip: |
Deep Gap Trail - an approach trail to the Appalachian Trail -
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| Date: |
July 14, 2012
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| Trip Host: |
Marsha Conner
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| Location: |
Southern Section, Nantahala National Forest (reached from the Georgia side off of Hwy 76). |
| Cost: |
Carry cash for fuel sharing.
No parking/entrance fees
Cash etc. If you want to eat dinner in the area before you head back to Gainesville.
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| Difficulty: |
Moderate with a few easy spots
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| Length: |
In/out format -1.5 miles each direction
3 Miles Round Trip |
| Blaze: |
No blaze for this trail – blue blaze where it overlaps
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| Departs From: |
Grace Church - Parish Hall / Kitchen Parking Lot. |
| Departure Time: |
9:00am Grace Church
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| Meals: |
Lunch:
Bring a trail lunch or snacks.
Supper:
Optional, Clayton area. |
| 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.)
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| GPS Info: |
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| USGS Quad: |
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| Ranger District: |
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Hike
Schedule: |
8:45am Meet @ Grace Main Parking Lot at Parish Hall to check in, use facilities, arrange carpooling and get ice.
9:00 am Depart Grace
10:00 am Restroom break at Racetrac in Glayton, snack
11:30 am Arrive at trailhead, safety briefing, begin hike.
1:30 pm - Snack break / lunch, turn around point
2:00 pm - Begin return hike
4:00 pm - Appx. time of return to parking area.
5:30 pm - Return to Clayton area - depart for Gainesville or have dinner in Clayton area - one hour drive back to Gainesville from Clayton..
*Be sure and check with your driver as to what their plans will be if you are a rider.
All times are approximate and are subject to change without notice!
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| Trail Description: |
Deep Gap Trail is partly made up of an old road bed. The trail begins literally where the Forest Service Road (70) ends. Originally, this FS road was planned to cross Deep Gap (the AT) and go into the Standing Indian area of the Nantahala National Forest on the other side of the mountain. For whatever reason, the road was never completed. So you drive about 12 miles up FS road 70 on the Georgia side, off of Hwy 76 between Clayton and Hiwassee, and it takes you across the state line into North Carolina, then the road dead ends. On the other side of the mountain, across the AT, there is another FS road that comes off of Hwy 64 in North Carolina. This is the upper basin of the Tallulah River and a major trout stream for anglers.
As you start up the trail, you are actually overlapping 3 trails. As you progress about .4 up the trail, it splits and Deep Gap continues to the left and Beech Creek goes to the right. After another .3, the trail splits again and this time Deep Gap goes to the right and Wateroak Waterfall trail goes across the creek and to the left. Deep Gap continues on until it eventually connects with the AT in North Carolina, but our hike will not take us up the last mile which is nothing but strenuous switchbacks. We will stop and turn around at the 1.5 mile mark where the trail crosses the creek and there is a small waterfall.
The first .5 of the trail is fairly rugged rock and root with a soft, but steady incline upward. There are a couple of spots where the trail levels for a few hundred feet and then starts the incline upward again. This is not a steep climb nor a strenuous climb, just a slow, steady climb upward. If you take plenty of breaks along the way, it is doable for most everyone. An old girl scout camp used to be located in this section, but nothing remains of it today and what used to be open fields around it have now grown up with brush and trees. Part of the way up the trail you can either see or hear the water of the Tallulah River (creek size). There are a few large camping areas on the left side near the water along this section. From the .5 mark to the turnaround, the climb is not as obvious and has a few more level sections, but you are still slowly gaining elevation. There are a few water crossings which are easy to navigate with just boots and lovely to see. The rock and root are not as plentiful after the .5 mark either. Some downed trees are in the area which have not been cleared away yet from recent storms.
This is a trail to go slow on and enjoy the scenery as you progress upward.
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| Camping, Cabins, Etc. |
Optional
Camping
For those interested in camping there are several options. They are listed below in order of closeness to the trailhead.
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Backpack sites, there are a couple backpacking sites along the trail we will be hiking.
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Several Dispersed Camping Sites Along Tallulah River Road Corridor (USFS 70)
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There are three established campgrounds along USFS Road #70. Sandy Bottom, Tate Branch and Tallullah River. All three are first come first serve locations and do not have hookups at sites. They do have central water spigots or well pumps. They also have vault style toilets. The first campground coming in from the hwy is RV accessible via a paved one lane road. Beyond this campground the road is gravel and requires crossing 7 narrow bridges. I do not recommend taking motor homes or travel trailers to TateBranch or Sandy Bottoms Campgrounds. Howerver we did see travel trailers at both these locations.
Tallullah River and Tate Branch campgrounds were both full on a Wednesday afternoon in late June and Sandy Bottoms had about 4 or 5 sites open.
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Moccasin Creek State Park. Located on Lake Burton is not far from the hike area. Reservations can be made at http://www.georgiastateparks.org/MoccasinCreek
Note: As of the moment they do not have any sites open for the hike weekend.
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Rabun Beach Campground Click for Details
Our recommended camping location for this hike. Sites are first come first serve. Some sites have power & water. Most sites do not have hookups. If you want a site with hookups it's recommended that you arrive on Wednesday afternoon. This campground tends to fill up on the weekends so be prepared to come early to get a site.
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Cabin Rental
There are several rental cabins along the Tallulah River Road Corridor. We do not have information on these.
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| In Case Of Emergency Forms (ICE): |
Please be sure you have an ICE form for each hiker on file for emergency contact information. The only part of this form that is required to be completed is the personal contact info for each hiker. We think it would be wise to provide the medical information, but that is optional for each hiker. These forms and the envelope they will be sealed in are bright yellow. If you have not turned in a new ICE form, you will need to do so before you hike. You may contact Marsha or Jeremy to obtain a form. Please have these forms filled out before we meet to hike. You can turn them in at the hike site, but it will be best to have them filled out before we gather to hike.
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| Trip Notes: |
NOTES from Marsha:
This area is fairly remote and would easily be described as wilderness. There are a few homes in the area which are islands of private property inside the bounds of the National Forests on both the Georgia and NC sides, but some are just week end retreats.
This wilderness area can be a habitat for the black bear along with any of the other animals of the forest. Be sure you have a bear bell with you in case you should find a need to hike by yourself for much distance. Watch for signs of bear activity and take note. Remember, this is where the animals live.
This spring and summer has proven to be seasons loaded with snakes due to the mild winter. We have seen very few snakes on hikes, but a word of caution is necessary. Do all your routine checks before you lean against a tree or sit down on a log or rock. The copperheads seem to be everywhere and it is important you look carefully before you step or sit along the trail. Use your stick or poles and rattle the grass along the trail where vegetation grows close to where you must walk. Pound the ground as you use your stick or poles and create vibration. Pay attention everywhere and be alert – even when walking into pottys in the campgrounds. Just assume there will be a snake and be prepared.
Also of interest, someone mentioned that using the plastic flea and tick collars that you put on dogs and cats may provide some protection for us from ticks in the woods. Used primarily around your ankles or wrists, it might help avoid ticks. The bug sprays that contain Deet also claim to ward off ticks as well as other pesky flying insects. Of course all these little creatures are worse this summer as well due to the mild winter.
It will probably be hot and humid so be sure you carry enough fluids with you on the trail and be sure you have a supply of cold fluids waiting for you in a vehicle when you return.
THINK COLD, COLD WEATHER FOR THIS COMING WINTER!!!! |
General
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 or Marsha Conner. If you are signing up to hike or have transportation issues, contact Jeremy Landers or Marsha Conner. 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.
HIKE AT YOUR OWN PACE - BUT HIKE WITH A PARTNER OR IN SIGHT OR SOUND OF YOUR GROUP FOR SAFETY.
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| Links & Ref. |
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| Photos |
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| Map |
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| Directions: |
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| Hike Reservations: |
Required
Deadline.
Marsha Conner
or
Jeremy Landers
770-861-8175
*Special Notice Regarding Hikers Under 18 Years of Age!
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| Post Trip Review: |
After the hike! |
