Sunday, October 31, 2004
Hiked from Walasi Yi to the top of Blood Mtn. 2.1 miles as posted. A great day with few on the trail until after lunch. By then we had a fairly steady stream of hikers and campers. Met 1 AT Through Hiker. Left Maine June 10th with 3 more days to go. Trail is easily followed and not hard at all until you hit the mountain. The mountain is strenous and once or twice a little confusing. As challenging as the mountain was we met Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and a gent who had just turned 88, so it must not be as bad as I thought.
Monday, July 21, 2003
Just hiked, yesterday July 20. My wife and I hiked the AT Approach trail the prior weekend and we both agreed that this segment was more difficult regardless of what the trail books say. Our guide had this trail mostly flat after the initial 1.5 miles with the second climb in the final mile. We found several additional climbs. Perhaps our expectations explain our comparision as several hikers strongly disagreed with our assessment. Regardless, a good hike that we (out of shape beginner hikers) completed in 4.5 hours. Interestingly enough that is the exact time it took us to complete the AT Approach despite the Approach being 1.5 miles longer. Hmmm.
Monday, December 2, 2002
November 26, 2002, hiked Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap with a neighbor and two of his kids. Made the required stop at Walasi-Yi before heading out. Weather was cool but the clear skies (most of the day) made up for the slight chill. We're all from Florida so "chill" is a relative term! Only saw three hikers all day and they were three south-bound thru hikers heading for a pickup. This was my first experience with the AT and I loved it. My friend and his son had hiked Springer Mt. to Hogpen Gap in summer 2002. All the noted springs and other water sources were running -- they've had a good wet fall. I'm sure I'll return to the Georgia section(s) of the AT in the future.
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
Hey, my post got cut off! I was saying that I highly recommend extending the 6.4 mile trail to the 12 1/2 mile distance because you can include Blood Mountain which is a must-see. Then you can continue on to do the Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap stretch of trail. If you're interested, take a look at the pictures we took from that weekend's backpacking trip: http://www.katebroun.com/gallery/outdoors/at3_oct2001/at3_oct2001.shtml
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
We actually extended the Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap distance for a perfect two-night camping trip and total mileage of 12 1/2 miles. By parking cars at the start and end points, we didn't have to do any backtracking. We started at Lake Winfield Scott and hiked in via Slaughter Creek Trail. The first night, we camped about two miles in. At Slaughter Gap, we got on the AT and headed up and over Blood Mountain. This trail takes you down Blood Mountain and across Highway 19/129 to the Walasi-Yi Center at Neels Gap. The Walasi-Yi Center was mobbed, likely because it was the peak of fall foliage. Anyway, we continued on and camped at Swaim Gap (I think), roughly 1/4 mile before Wolf Laurel Top. The weather couldn't have been better and the trail was wonderful. I highly recommend this trail and if you want more than a 6.4 mile hike, try extending it like we did. Here are some pictures from our trip: http://www.katebroun.com/gallery/outdoors/at3_oct2001/at3_oct2001.shtml
Thursday, September 27, 2001
This is a very pleasant hike made even more so by the helpful staff at the visitor center at Neel's Gap. For a half day camp in, it is hard to beat the campsite at Wolf Laurel Top. Only about a 2 hour hike. A great veiw at sunset, even nicer view of the starry skies.
Wednesday, June 20, 2001
At the top of Wildcat Mountain is a rocky ridge about half-way between the main trail and the AT shelter. There is a large(probably several) timber rattlers living in the largest rock outcropping. Watch your step!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2001
JUNE 11, 2001 Hiked Hogpen Gap to Neels Gaps took about 4hrs including time to stop and enjoy the "Great Views". The were many beautiful wild azaleas and Mt. Laurels in full bloom. The trail hiked in this direct has some challenging climbs up but the views are very rewarding. Parking at Hogpen was not problem. Great Day Hike. tw
Sunday, April 9, 2000
the only bad part of this portionof the trial is the parking problem at neel gap as a day hiker i now park at hogpen gap and hike the other way and back but for some reason it seem more difficult this way i know its all in the mind no matter which way 15 miles is 15 miles good luck
Monday, November 15, 1999
11/14/99 - 11/15/99
This is a beautiful hike! Get your camera out or buy one at Neels Gap, you'll want it. There are amazing views from all the mountain tops. Wolf Larel Top is my favorite and has an excellent camp area facing east (must be gorgeous at sunrise).
The first 1.5 miles is not shy and puts you in a steady climb to Levelland Mt. This climb was made on fresh legs and set a good pace. Once you absorb the views from the top you'll only want to push on to the next. The hike to Rock Spring Top goes very quickly so don't forget to detour or stop for the views. Then descending the rocky side you begin the ridge line to Wolf Laurel Top. Once on Wolf Laurel Top you may not want to leave. But, you will see your next Top and only want to get there and look back to where you were. Green Cliff Top gives just that view and then some. Take it in because the hardest the part of the trail lies ahead. The descend down Green Cliff is steep and follows a series of very quick switchbacks that spit you out in Tesnatee Gap before you know it. From this descent you get an excellent idea of what lies ahead. From Tesnatee Gap the trail begins a strenuous ascent (approx. 600' in 1/3 mi.) up part of Wildcat Mountain. If you don't need to stop then don't, keep the pace. Rest at the top (6 mi) and maybe detour to Whitley Gap because Hogpen Gap is next.
From Hogpen Gap we followed R.B. Russell Hwy east just passed the scenic pull-off area and began a raw bush-whacking to find Dodd Creek. Once we located it we bush-whacked east through heavy rhododendrons, briars and underbrush. There were several falls along the way and some very steep faces. We descended rapidly right to the top of Raven Cliffs Falls and set up camp at the bottom.
We hope to get back and blaze our new trail for others to enjoy as an extension of Raven Cliffs Falls Trail to the AT.
This trip was great! Hopefully the forest fires left by reckless campers won't reach east of Neels Gap.
Monday, July 19, 1999
Not a bad trail for younger children, as long as they are in good physical condition. Don't try this if you don't like to go up hill.
Thursday, July 8, 1999
Trail Length:6.8 miles
Location: Lumpkin Union County
Features:scenic, AT, camping.
Last hiked:04/28/1996 | Type of trail:Point-to-point
Our rating:Difficult
Your rating:Moderate (83)
Date added:01/01/1996
Trail Usage:
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