Day 4 SASH #10: Gooch Mountain Shelter to Dockery Lake Trail Campsite, GA – Do You Believe in Magic?

Yeah, do you believe in magic?; Yeah, believe in the magic of a young girl’s soul; Believe in the magic of rock and roll; Believe in the magic that can set you free; Ohh, talking ’bout magic. The Lovin’ Spoonful

1 April – Once again, I did not hear my watch alarm; I can’t decide if it is too quiet or if I really am sleeping that well. I think it’s the former, especially since this night confirmed my sleeping pad is leaking and was completely deflated by morning. I wasn’t really looking to get up early anyway since 1130 am was the earliest I could meet Nightingale at Woody Gap. It was a chilly morning and I put on my down jacket for the first time while packing up. Everything was still damp from yesterday’s heavy rain; as all hikers know, putting on cold wet clothes in the morning is no fun. I decided to skip making hot coffee again this morning; I didn’t make cold brew either. I was counting on the lunch that Nightingale would have for me at Woody Gap. After packing, I checked with Edna and Axel. They expected to depart about 20-30 minutes after myself and we would link-up at Woody Gap. At the shelter, I saw that the Merry Company, minus Tree, had already departed. Their plan for today was to push the 16 miles to Neel Gap. That destination was still two days away for me; so, yesterday was the last I would hike with most of the Merry Company. It was great being part of this nascent trail family for a couple of days and I am certain they all will make it to Maine! Tree, however, was still at the shelter and he told me that sleeping in a tent was the better option. Apparently, the shelter’s lower deck crew created a cacophony of snoring, farting, and even night terror screams! This is a primary reason I prefer to skip shelters if it is not raining. You just never know what experience a night in a shelter may have in store. Tree, Allie and a few others were still around the shelter and tent sites as I got on trail about 0800; expecting that I could make the almost 5 miles to Woody Gap by noon.

Everyone the night before was excited that today’s forecast was for sunshine and the morning did not disappoint! The trail after Gooch Gap tracked along a ridge leading to Ramrock Mountain with plenty of clear views to the southeast through the bare trees. I was hoping to see as much trillium as yesterday. However, the flower was a bit scarce in this section; nevertheless, I did capture one excellent trillium photo. While the trillium was elusive, I found the odd Klondike prospector fellow from Gooch Mountain Shelter sitting on a rock trying to shield his stove from a steady breeze to make coffee, just adding to his character. My English neighbors from last night, who I dubbed the Duke and Duchess of Essex, passed me in this stretch as well. Ramrock Mountain had a short, rocky climb, but resulted in the best view of the North Georgia mountains since this SASH began. Plodder was here drying out his gear in the sunshine; the Klondike prospector was just behind me on the climb over the rocks. Klondike decided to stay and enjoy the sunshine with Plodder; however, I was intent on arriving at Woody Gap, if not early, at least on time, to meet Nightingale. So, down the trail I went. Just as Axel and Edna caught up to me about one mile out from Woody Gap, Nightingale texted me she was in the parking lot and setting up her trail magic. The morning’s plan was coming together nicely.

Axel, Edna, myself, and another thru hiker, who I had not met before, hiked into the southern side of the parking area about the same time. Woody Gap parking lot was full and several day hikers were lingering or coming and going. I saw Nightingale in the parking lot on the northern side of GA Highway 60 with her trail magic of cold drinks and candy. After a greeting and kiss, I dropped my pack near a picnic table. Next was an introduction of Axel and Edna; Nightingale’s idea was to take them into Suches first to ensure they could get at the front of any first-come-first-served situation at the hostel. While Nightingale drove the Berliners to find the hostel in Suches, I exploded my pack on the picnic table and nearby trees to dry everything. Bitcoin came through, but kept on going and didn’t stop. It would be my last time seeing him on trail. Tree, Plodder, “southern lady,” Peregrine, and another Brit, all would soon arrive and take a break to enjoy cold seltzers and candy from Nightingale’s trail magic cache. Nightingale returned, saying the Berliners found spots at Above the Clouds Hostel in Suches. Now it was time for lunch! Nightingale brought BBQ ribs, baked beans and some local Georgia IPAs for my special trail magic. We chatted while I ate and she had the chance to meet Tree and Plodder. I probably spent two hours at Woody Gap with Nightingale, but eventually a hiker has to pull himself away from trail magic even if the trail angel is his wife. I packed up, being sure to get my new Sawyer water filter, a fully charged battery pack, some dry clean socks/clothes, and a food resupply now in a bear canister. (I didn’t want to deal with bear hangs in the event I didn’t camp near a shelter with a bear box/cable.) I didn’t bother asking Nightingale to bring me a new sleeping pad; I thought I would just get a new one at Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap. I unloaded the broken Helinox Chair and some wet clothes. One last IPA beer and it was back on trail around 2pm. My afternoon goal was the 3.5 miles to Lance Creek campsite.

The talk at Woody Gap was that almost everyone was heading for Lance Creek. FarOut indicated there are only a few tent sites at Lance Creek; so, once again, wondering if I would get there in time to secure a spot nagged at the edge of my thoughts. The Brit left before everyone. Peregrine was the first to pass me and then Tree and “southern lady.” We had entered the Blood Mountain Wilderness, but the hiking was relatively easy. Maybe the BBQ ribs and beer slowed me down some. There was no question that the climb, albeit short, up Big Cedar Mountain to Preacher’s Rock ledges slowed me down a lot. In fact, my right hip started hurting really bad for the first time during this section hike. I shared the climb with a group of day hikers; two moms and about a half dozen middle schoolers. As I passed them, most of the kids were complaining about the climb; so, the “mom-in-charge” offered bribery – no more complaining, only happy and positive comments. The successful kids would get a milkshake on the way home, the unsuccessful would only get a soda. Shortly after, I took a breather on a rock by the trail and they passed me; the lone girl in the group was the only one to say “hi” and apologized for passing me! At the top, I told her mom that the little girl should get a double milkshake for her “happy and positive” comments! And I got a trail magic orange from the little girl!

I sat on the Preacher’s Rock ledge for a rather longish break. Well, actually I laid down on the big flat rocks. The sun had heated the granite and it felt like a hot stone massage and it was perfect for my now aching right hip! I really didn’t want to get up and get moving again. But I had 2 miles to go to Lance Creek, I was out of water, and saw a couple more hikers pass by heading north. I spoke with one, Biscuits, who decided that he would stop at Dockery Trail campsite, just short of Lance Creek because he felt certain that area would already be full. A mile later, I found a great stream to fill up on water and there was an excellent single tentsite. It was still early and despite my hip pain, I figured it would be better to get another mile or so finished today. I came upon the Dockery Trail campsite; Biscuits was there, along with another hiker I did not know. There was plenty of space, I had water, and I was only a half a mile away from Lance Creek. So, I decided to camp here and risk not finding at spot at Lance. This is an excellent campsite (albeit without water), but it is not on my 2023 edition of AWOL nor on FarOut. However, a comment left on FarOut waypoint for Lance Creek by a user highlights Dockery Trail campsite and the others just north of Preacher’s Rock ledge. A quick and easy camp set up; then a homemade biscuit with smoked ham, banana, and lemon tea drink mix for dinner! Nightingale went to a class in Atlanta to learn how to make southern buttermilk biscuits and she brought one to Woody Gap for me to pack out! Biscuits from Alabama was definitely envious! While I was eating, Plodder came by, but continued on since he was hoping to use the bear cable at Lance Creek. Fortunately, I had the bear canister; so, I didn’t have to deal with a bear hang. Biscuits said he walked almost a quarter mile down Dockery Trail to find a suitable tree. I wedged my bear canister between two fallen criss-crossed trees about 100 yards down an overgrown forest road from my campsite. Other than my now painful right hip, it was a great day on trail!