Type: Trail, Point-to-point
Difficulty: 6 / 10
Altitude: 3,150 ft
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Hiking, Running
Woody Gap (3150 ft. elev) to Neels Gap (3125 ft. elev) - 11.3 Miles on the Appalachian Trail near Dahlonega, Georgia... What can we say? This is a killer trail (but you'll run it just fine).
This section of the AT is almost entirely in the Blood Mountain Wilderness Area. Camp fires are not permitted between Jarrard Gap and Neels Gap including the stone hut on top of Blood Mountain. Follow the white-blazed AT when you hit trail junctions.
This is an excellent day hike with the high point (both in elevation and scenic splendor) being Blood Mountain Summit at 4461'. After leaving Woody Gap the rocky overlook near the top of Big Cedar Mountain (3737 ft. elev.) provides good views as can be seen in the photo at the right. After 2.5 miles the 3 mile blue blaze trail to Dockery Lake will be on the right. After 5 miles reach Jarrard Gap and 1.1 mile trail to the left to Lake Winfield Scott. At 7.5 miles reach Slaughter Gap (3800 ft. elev) and the junction of several trails - 2.7 mile Slaughter Creek Trail to Lake Winfield Scott, the northern terminus of the Duncan Ridge Trail, and the beginning of the Coosa Back country Trail. A new shelter is located off the west side of the trail between Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Gap. There is a an intermittent spring on the north side of Slaughter Gap. There are also springs beginning about 1/2 mile down the Slaughter Creek Trail from Slaughter Gap.
Ascend to the top of Blood mountain (4461 ft. elev.) at 9 miles. Just before reaching the summit there is a two room stone hut shown at the left. The hut is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the hut there are several areas close by for tents. From different locations near the summit there are good views in all directions in the early spring and late fall. Trees now limit visibility in the summer. There is no water near the summit so be prepared! Descend 2.3 miles and 1300 ft in elevation to reach Neels Gap.
Neels Gap: Take Highway 19 North from Dahlonega or Highway 129 north from Cleveland to Turner's Corner. Turn left on Highway 19/129. Continue past the Walasi-yi Center about 1/2 mile to a left turn. This has ample parking. The folks at the Walasi-yi Center ask that you do not park in their limited parking area.
Woody Gap: From Dahlonega, take Highway 129 to Stonepile Gap. Go straight on Georgia 60. (Highway 129 continues east or left). Follow GA 60 to Suches. There is a day use parking area on the east side of the road. A $2 parking fee is imposed here.
To shuttle, park one car at U. S. Hwy. 19 at the Byron Reese parking area .5 miles north of Neels Gap and one car at Ga Hwy. 60 at Woody Gap. For map details use the Neels Gap quadrangle topographic map.
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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