The Georgia Loop Backpacking Plan MapQuest Departure Destination: Water Availability: Can start anywhere on the loop – Woody Gap AT Multiple Stream crossings Look for the marked parking area on the northeastern side of GA 60. The Spring on Springer Mtn AT crosses the road here. Stover Creek Chester Creek Park: Woody Gap Parking off northeastern side of GA 60 Long Creek Falls MapQuest Car Drop Destination: Loop Trail – one spot Spring at Hawk Mtn Shelter Rating: Strenuous Justus Creek, Blackwell Creek Distance: 54.6 miles Spring 0.3 miles on Jarrard Gap Trail (blue blaze) USGS Quadrangles: Noontoola, Suches, Mulky Gap, Cowrock Slaughter Creek Headwaters Emergency Numbers: 911 DRT Water is sparse and usually in gaps marked by Blue W’s U.S. Forest Service, Blue Ridge District BMT Mill Creek spring 500 feet to the east, but very difficult to find Alan Polk - District Ranger (706) 745-6928 Day 1: AT Trail ~9.2 milesWhite Rectangle Blazes – Junctions & turns Double vertical blazes – side trails Blue blazes Begin from the Woody Gap parking area on GA 60 (3160 ft). The trail crosses GA 60 and continues northward from the rear of the parking area near the picnic area. Continue northward and slowly gain elevation along the western hardwood ridge of Steel Trap and Jacobs Knob. 0.5 mile Decline for 100 yards to a stand of tulip poplars at Lunsford Gap (3,330 feet). Then, climb to Preaching Rock overlook. 0.5 mile Climb along the eastern ridge, almost cresting Big Cedar Mountain (3,721 ft.) Then, lose elevation to Dan Gap. 1.0 mile Continue down off of the ridgeline to the western slope of Granny Top. Meet Miller Gap (3,005 ft.). 0.6 mile Hike north along the eastern side of Baker Mountain and drop to Henry Gap (3,100 ft). 1.1 mile Top two knobs on Burnett Field Mountain. Enter Jarrard Gap (3,300 ft), which ends at a sign to the left of the gap. 1.6 mile Almost summit Gaddis Mountain (3,520 ft). Then descend to Horsebone Gap at 3,460 ft. 0.2 mile Top Turkey Stamp (3,780 ft) and meet the western end of the Freeman Trail. 1.4 mile Cross Slaughter Creek. It will often run dry in summer and early fall, depending on conditions. (No campfire zone) 0.5 mile The spring at Slaughter Gap (3,860ft.) is the last source of water for miles. The trail enters Slaughter Gap, a major trail junction. The old roadbed to the left is the Slaughter Creek Trail. Turn right 90 degrees at Slaughter Gap and begin a series of moderate switchbacks up Blood Mountain (4,461 ft.). 0.9 mile Reach the top of the mountain, marked by the large Picnic Rock and the famous Blood Mountain shelter and turn around. 0.9 mile Return to Slaughter Gap and continue through the straight junction following the Duncan Ridge Trail west. CAMP on the north side of the trail, after the junction. Day 2: Duncan Ridge Trail ~12.4 miles Blue Plastic Blazes Go West along the DRT The Yellow Blazed Coosa Backcountry Trail Joins the DRT for 3.0 miles. 0.1 mile Hike a level section from Slaughter Gap. 0.7 mile Climb steeply to Slaughter Mt. (4,140 ft.). 0.9 mile Turn Right onto a dirt road and cross GA 180 at Wolfpen Gap (3260 ft.) to Buckeye Knob (this is the Coosa Bald Scenic Area). 0.1 mile Ascend sharp switchbacks to Wildcat Gap (3,780 ft.) and descend to Wildcat Knob. 1.0 mile When you come out of the forest skirt the edge for 30 yards before turning right onto Duncan Ridge Rd. 0.1 mile Follow the steep grade up to Coosa Bald (4,271 ft.). 0.5 mile Follow trail down and long decline passing through a grove of Yellow Birchto White Oak Stomp (3,460 ft.). 0.9 mile Proceed over a low knob then steadily uphill to Buckeye Knob (3,820 ft.). 1.7 mile Hike downhill to Buckeye Gap (3,280 ft.). 1.0 mile Continue and skirt FS 39 Duncan Ridge Road to Bryant Gap (3,200 ft.). 0.6 mile Gain elevation quickly to Buck Knob (3,540 ft.) and descend to the second Wildcat Gap (3,380 ft.). 0.8 mile Climb to Wildcat Knob (3,500 ft.). 0.3 mile Descend switchbacks quickly to Mulky Gap (2,780 ft.). 1.1 mile Cross FS 4 follow the foot bed off to the left. at a Double Blaze 0.5 mile Follow a long upgrade to the benchmark atop Akin Mountain (3,531 ft.). 0.4 mile The trail turns sharply downhill from the summit to Clements Mountain (3,500 ft.). Turn sharply right at the bottom and descend along the southern slope to Akin Gap (3,020 ft.). 1.0 mile Continue to a clearing at Fish Gap (3,100 ft.) where FS 88 ends. 0.7 mile CAMP in clearing, there should be water at Dixon Creek 0.2 mile SSE following gap, but don’t plan on it. Day 3: Duncan Ridge Trail ~11.2 miles Blue Plastic Blazes A short climb to Parke Knob (3,320 ft.) follow the Northern flank down and up to Sarvis Gap (3,020 ft.), which has water past spring. 1.1 mile Up and down to Payne Knob (3,420 ft.). 0.5 mile Continue Roller Coaster to Gregory Knob (3,360 ft.). 0.7 mile Continue westward on Duncan Ridge to Gregory Gap (3,060 ft.). 0.3 mile Follow trail to Rhodes Mountain Gap (2,980 ft.). 0.8 mile Climb to Rhodes Mountain (3, 380 ft.). 0.5 mile Lose elevation to an unnamed gap and climb to the long flat summit of Licklog Mountain (3,472 ft.) Cross the summit diagonally. 1.1 mile Bear right at high point before descending a 27% grade to an unnamed gap (2,730 ft.). Ascend to an outcrop open to the south. 0.4 mile Hike to Wallalah Mountain (3,100 ft.) Ammo boxes along the trail are property of U.S. Army Rangers and should not be disturbed. 1.1 mile Descend along Duncan Ridge following an old road to find the trail to the Left. 0.7 mile Private property to the right (west) of the trail is marked by red paint. Turn Right off ridgeline and descend steeply. Cross old logging road, and a second old road, then Cross Little Skeenah Creek. 1.0 mile Start sharing the trial with the Benton MacKaye Trail White Diamond Blazes Reach GA 60 (2028'). GA 60 leads left 30.8 mi. to Dahlonega and right 16.6 mi. to Blue Ridge. 0.2 mile From GA 60 (2028'), at the intersection with FS 816 begin ascent of Toonowee Mountain. Climb steps; enter a grove of hemlock and rhododendron. Swing right along a streambed. Ascend along the streambed. 0.2 mile Turn Left on old woods road. Then, turn Right off the old road and ascend steeply. CAUTION: Do not continue along old road. 0.2 mile At the top, turn right along the ridgeline. More roller coasters up and down along the top. 0.3 mile Reach summit of Toonowee Mountain (2720'). Cross the summit and descend. 0.5 mile Come to high point of the final peak. Descend steeply. 0.5 mile Reach flat stretch on ridgeline. 0.2 mile Resume descent, following east side of ridgeline. 0.3 mile Begin steep descent. 0.1 mile Cross old timber road and descend more gradually. 0.3 mile Cross gated road (FS 816) (Gate is 100 yards to right. Enter pine forest severely damaged by pine beetles and reach Toccoa River. 0.2 mile CAMP downhill to left along the banks of the river. Day 4: Benton MacKaye Trail ~10.1 miles White Diamond Blazes Cross Toccoa River Bridge. Continue following a stream 100 feet to the left. Bear right off old roadbed. Ascend gently. 0.3 mile Cross FS 333. Begin steep ascent upon crossing road. 0.1 mile Begin more gradual ascent. Cross woods road. Ascend more steeply. Descend, ascend, and descend again. 0.3 mile Reach old logging road. Ascend. 0.7 mile Attain high point. Descend. 0.4 mile Cross another old logging road. Here, ascend gently, and change more from a westerly course to a southwesterly and southerly course. 0.1 mile Reach Sapling Gap (2,770'). 0.2 mile Leave the ridgeline, skirting the west side of the north peak of John Dick Mountain. Follow an old roadbed. 0.1 mile Continue on a graded trail with little elevation change. 0.3 mile Begin gradual descent into Bryson Gap. Beware of numerous old logging roads that cross the trail at various angles. 0.2 mile Reach Bryson Gap (2,900'). A spring is 300 feet to the east, or left, of the trail. 0.3 mile Gradually ascend west of ridgeline. Follow trail along the north slope of the south peak of John Dick Mountain. 500 ft. Skirt clear-cut and descend gradually through dense laurel to reach a long saddle on the crest of the ridge. Climb briefly. 0.5 mile Reach high point on Wildcat Ridge (3,130'). From here to the gap, a timbered area borders the left side of the trail. 0.8 mile Cross an old logging road in the gap (2,980') and ascend along the ridgeline. Skirt the east side of the ridge. 0.2 mile Again skirt the east side of the ridge, descending.