Big Fat Gap
Dec 20th, 2007 by Admin 1
The trail head for the Hangover Lead Trail is locate right off the Big Fat Gap parking lot. It starts out with a series of switchbacks which climb pretty quick and will get your heart rate going right away. It is the shortest of the trails leading up to the hangover. The hangover provides some really nice panoramic views of the Citico Creek Wilderness and further into Tennessee, Slick Rock Wilderness, Santeetlah Lake and all the surrounding rolling hills. Camping up here comes highly recommended! There were a couple rough trips up here that were high wind/storm related. During one o them, we powered through a big storm where the wind howled ridiculously and rain pelted us making it nearly impossible to sleep, but it was still fun. Also, when you’re up there you might hear some thumping that sounds almost like its coming from inside your body! Don’t let it get to you, old man mountain’s just tired.
If you prefer to stay down at the bottom of the mountain, check out the lake lots that are maintained and most are very nice!
Here are some directions from Horse Cove and also the lakeside campgrounds pictured above:
- From Horse Cove Campground - Take SR1134 North along lake to Santeetlah Rd.
- Take a left - Take a left again on US 129
- Follow 129 along the Cheoah River and look for a small bridge on left that crosses Cheoah River and SR62. Hint: if you go into Tapoco you missed it. Won’t surprise me, I have missed it several times and I have to say this whole area is like the Bermuda Triangle of the mountains so know where your headed ahead of time!
- Follow this dirt road for several miles up to Big Fat Gap Parking Lot
