Trail Update: Amicalola to Hiawassee

Day 1: Amicalola Lodge to Stover Creek Shelter

Perfect first day. Unbelievably warm for North Georgia in February. Sun was amazing and the whole hike was something out of my imagination. Beautiful views, good climbs, lots waterfalls and walks along the stream, just epic.

Just finished dinner, listening to Happy play the ukulele… How is this real life? As awesome as today was the best is yet to come.

Standing on top of Springer was a dream come true. It’s an incredible mix of excitement, and looking ahead, thinking about what this amazing trail will have to offer.

Day 2: Stovers Creek to Gooch Shelter

Another ideal weather day. Moved quickly during the day. Enjoyed lunch at Cooper’s Gap and met the two coolest caretakers on the trail: Mother Nature and Smoke stack! They made us all feel welcome at Gooch Shelter and even made a fire in the morning for us to enjoy with our breakfast.

Hiking highlights:

• Three Forks and the walk along stover creek.
• Climbing Sassafras
• The hike from Cooper Gap to Gooch mountain shelter
• Meeting Mother Nature and Smokestack!

Day 3: Gooch Mountain Shelter to Slaughter Creek Campsite

Another beautiful day of hiking! Going through Woody Gap was awesome and the hike down through Jarrad Gap and into the Blood Mountain Wilderness.

Loving every minute and can’t wait for tomorrow! Blood Mountain was awesome, Mountain Crossings for pizza, soda, and a small resupply, and loving life!

Day 4: Slaughter Creek to Low Gap Shelter

Mile 42.8

Epic Day, longest day on trail, 14.7 miles according to Far Out but I think it was a little longer, maybe more like 15. Legs are tired but not drained. Feeling great and looking forward to the next big day!

Looking forward to staying at Hostel Around the Bend in a few days!

Hiking highlights:

• Blood Mountain and Blood Mountain Shelter
• Preacher Rock (epic view!)
• Wildcat Mountain and climbing out of Tesseract Gap
• The creek / water source at Low Gap Shelter
• Views on the Ridgeline around Baggs Creek/ Cowrock Mountain

Day 5: Low Gap Shelter to Tray Mountain Shelter

If I thought yesterday was epic today smashed it! Low Gap to Blue Mountain shelter was a quick 7 miles that rewarded the work with a great view for lunch. Had lunch with Bearded Frog, Soup Cup, and Rambler while we all planned the next few days.

Got my trail name today! From now on I’ll be going by the name, Stickers!

Came down the mountain to the best surprise a hiker can find… Trail magic! And not just any trail magic… Fresh Ground! The man, the legend, fed us the best darn burrito that I’ve ever had! Also got my sticker on the van, which I can’t believe.

Hiking Highlights:

• Blue Mountain Lunch View
• Fresh Ground’s Leapfrog Cafe!
• Tray Mountain Wilderness
• View from Tray Mountain
• Indian Gap
• Camping up on Tray Mountain