AT – Backpacking Plan

MapQuest Departure Destination: Hogpen Gap, Emergency Numbers: 911 Blairsville, GA off GA-348 U.S. Forest Service, Blue Ridge District Park: Brasstown Bald Parking Lot Alan Polk - District Ranger (706) 745-6928 Car Drop Destination: Brasstown Bald Visitors Water Availability: Ctr is off the 180 Spur, which goes north of GA Mile 4.2 Spring at Low Gap Shelter 180 just south of Blairsville, GA 706-896-2555 Mile 4.6 Rivulet under trail Rating: Moderate -Strenuous Mile 6.1 Several Rivulets cross trail Distance: 14.2 miles Mile 9.2 Chattahoochee Spring Source blue blazed trail USGS Quadrangles: Cowrock, Jacks Gap Mile 10.9 Rivulet Shuttle Service: Call Mountain Crossings (706) 745-6095

Day 1: Appalachian Trail White Blazes Climbs the eastern ridge of Strawberry Top and then dip to Sapling Gap at 3,480 ft. 1.6 mile Summit Poor Mountain (3,640 ft). 0.3 mile Decline to Wide Gap at 3,180 ft. 0.6 mile Ascend a moderate grade to the summit of Sheep Rock Top (3,550 ft.). 1.1 mile Dip to Low Gap at 3020 ft. Low Gap Shelter is 0.1 miles to the right with a fairly reliable spring. 0.7 mile Continues NE on an old roadbed through a hardwood forest on the eastern side of Horsetrough Mt. 3.8 mile Near Cold Springs Gap (3,460 ft.) make a moderate ascent to a knob. 0.2 mile After a sharp downgrade, climb to another unnamed knob. 0.6 mile The trail dips to Chattahoochee Gap at (3,500 ft). 0.4 mile About 200 yards to the right of the gap is Chattahoochee Spring, the official source of the . CAMP between the gap and the spring. Left of the gap, the Jacks Knob Trail runs a blue blazed 4.5 miles to the parking lot on Brasstown Bald near the summit.

Day 2: Jacks Knob Trail Blue Blazes Pass a series of large grey rock outcrops. 0.3 mile Hike along the western flank of Jacks Knob 0.3 mile Drop into a gap. 0.3 mile Climb to the end of a ridge. 0.3 mile Loop through a cove. 0.3 mile Pass a spring on a level foot bed and go through another hardwood forest. 0.3 mile Drop to Jacks Gap (2,960 ft.) and Cross GA-180 and the spur as the trail bends to the left. 0.4 mile Ascend Switchbacks as you climb up . Stop a smell the flowers and lichen. 1.7 mile Continue along level ground. 0.5 mile Follow the Summit Trail to reach Brasstown Bald (4,784 ft.) visitor center. 0.5 mile

Day 1: Hogpen Gap to Low Gap

Strawberry Top

3500 Horsetrough Mountain Poor Mountain Sheep Rock Top

3400 Wolfpen Stamp

3300

3200

3100 0123456789 Miles Total distance: 9 miles, 1552 feet Climbing: 2139 feet Latitude: 034° 43' 33.5'' N Descending: -2106 feet Longitude: 083° 50' 22.0'' W Ground distance: 9 miles, 1902 feet Elevation change: 33 feet Elevation: 3457 feet Min/Max: 3069/3584 Grade: 3%

Day 1: Low Gap to Chattahoochee Gap

Day 2: Chattahoochee Gap to Brasstown Bald

4400 Brasstown Bald

4200

4000

3800

3600

3400 Eagle Knob Brookshire Top 3200 Henry Knob 3000 01234 Miles Total distance: 4 miles, 2942 feet Climbing: 2178 feet Latitude: 034° 51' 09.5'' N Descending: -1231 feet Longitude: 083° 48' 04.8'' W Ground distance: 4 miles, 3338 feet Elevation change: 946 feet Elevation: 3300 feet Min/Max: 2917/4500 Grade: 22%