Appalachian Trail - Unicoi Gap to Dick’s Creek Gap
Apr 24th, 2009 by Admin 1
Appalachian Trail - Georgia - Unicoi Gap to Dick’s Creek Gap
Nearest Town: Hiawassee, Georgia
Trailhead Location: Unicoi Gap -75/17 Unicoi Turnpike
Trail Length: 16.1 miles one-way
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Trail Marker: White Blaze
Directions: From Hiawassee, head south on (75/17 Unicoi Turnpike) to Unicoi Gap parking lot on the left. Watch for signs for Appalachian Trail Crossing.
This last weekend a friend and I completed the next section of the A.T. from Unicoi Gap to Dick’s Creek Gap. We started out at the trailhead along the Unicoi Turnpike Friday afternoon at around 5:30 PM. Our original plan was to stretch this section out and camp for two nights but we ended up completing it quicker than expected so we only camped one night.
This time I had plenty of water and even a stove for coffee which I typically deprive myself of to lighten my pack weight on shorter trips. It ended up being one of the better trips between the coffee, company, great weather and the intentional slower pace we maintained for most of the trek.
The trail from Unicoi Gap leads up the Northwest side of Rocky Mtn. and is pretty mild so we were to the summit before we knew it.
After Rocky Mtn. the trail descends down to Indian Grave Gap and there are plenty of views off to the East/Southeast off the ridge overlooking Mt. Yona and the surrounding hills. Just before Tray Gap we stopped at a campsite (pictured below) that had a nice rock outcropping overlook and enough room for about three small tents.
The sun was getting close to setting so we debated whether to set up here or continue on up to the top of Tray Mountain. It looked like we had enough time so we kept hiking.
As we were getting close to the top of Tray Mountain we passed a couple headed Northbound as well that didn’t look like they were ready to go much further but the next day we learned that they ended up camping at a grassy clearing in the rocks right at the top. We were happy to hear they were okay.
After reaching the summit we took a second to take it in and quickly headed on to find a spot to camp before it got completely dark.
On our way back down the other side of Tray Mountain, the sun had already set and about 60 feet down the trail we saw a dark figure just before it stepped off to the side of the trail and out of site. My first thought was that it was a small bear or something. I tend to think of that first for some reason. 
Anyway, we both continued slowly on. As we got further down the trail we discovered it was actually just a weary hiker wearing dark pants and a black pullover sweatshirt with the hood up. As we got closer we realized the hiker was walking backwards down the trail staring down the entire way. The whole thing seemed a little strange to us initially. As we passed we noticed the lone hiker did not have a pack. It was nightfall and they were at the top of a mountain walking backwards by themselves. As it turns out not far away was the Tray Mountain Shelter so they must have just been wandering around winding down for the night.
We found a clearing near the trail leading towards the shelter and decided that was the spot since it was dark. We quickly set up and put all our food into one bear bag and set out to hang it. After sipping some nighttime nectar and getting the bear bag up we called it an early night and got in our tents to get rested for our hike the next day.
It was a little windy and we were pretty exposed on the top of the ridge so we set our tents up near a couple of big trees for a little shelter from the wind.
The next morning we took our time getting around. We made some coffee, ate some breakfast and then finally packed up to get back on the trail. I was thinking how was nice it was to have some company and slow the pace a bit. I am normally by myself so there isn’t much to do other than just get back on the trail. I typically start before the sun even comes up like my last leg from Neels Gap to Unicoi Gap when I packed up at around 4:30am.
It was 9:30 or so when we started down the trail from the Tray Mountain Shelter area. We made pretty good time even though we were purposely going slow passing by Steeltrap Gap, Blue Ridge Swag, up to Round Top where someone has carved the title of the crest into a rock along the trail, and the down to Addis Gap where we stopped for lunch.
I will point out that this is actually a good place to take a break because if you are headed North on the trail this climb to Kelly Knob is long and straight without any real switchbacks to speak of to break it up. This is in my opinion one of the more difficult ascents in this section between Unicoi and Dick’s because of how low you start out from Addis Gap. One more point I should make is that the mileage sign at Addis Gap for Northbound hikers reads 5.4 miles to Dick’s Creek Gap if I’m not mistaken but the one at the Dick’s Creek is crossed out and says 6.8. Based on experience the latter is correct. It is certainly more the 5.4 just so you are aware.
The downhill from Powell Mtn. definitely works a whole different muscle set and is most likely one of the longer steady downhills in this part of Georgia.
We ended up getting to Dick’s Creek Gap at around 3:00pm and that was the end of our journey for now. I only have one more small section in Georgia and then its on to North Carolina so stay tuned.
For the previous sections of the Appalachian Trail here in Georgia visit my earlier posts:
