Benton MacKaye Sections 2-5, Old Dial Road Southbound to Three Forks

The Benton MacKaye Trail is a, less travelled and shorter (approximately 288 miles) sibling to the Appalachian Trail, beginning at Springer Mountain, the trail winds its way up to Davenport Gap at the North East edge of the Smokies. 

The trail and this trip will be strenuous at a moderate pace with significant climbs and decents as well as stretches of up to 7 miles without reliable water sources.

Day 1:

We'll meet at 7AM at the Windward Park & Ride to carpool in two cars, hopefully one other person will have an SUV (many/most/if not all of the roads near the trailheads are dirt forest service roads). We'll drop one vehicle at Three Forks and continue North to the Old Dial Road trailhead where we'll park and head South on the BMT.

The first day's hike is 13.2 miles from Old Dial Road (BMT Mile 35.3) to "a nice campsite with water," as the trail guide reads, on the North side of Licklog Mountain at approximately 3,000 ft (BMT Mile 22.1). Attractions along the trail include the Brawley Mountain Fire Tower just 4 miles into the day, and traversing Wilscot Mountain (hopefully with views).

Day 2:

Hike the remaining 16.1 miles from our campsite on the North side of Licklog Mountain to Three Forks. This day includes going over Licklog, Wallalah, and Toonowee Mountains, Crossing the Toccoa River suspension bridge and within the last mile of the hike, an optional side trip to Long Creek Falls (possible swimming).

Returning to the dropped car at Three Forks, we'll drive up to Old Dial Road to the second vehicle and return to the carpool location.

Directions to the trailhead(s) will be provided for drivers at the Carpool Location

Anyone coming on this hike should be comfortable hiking at a moderate pace over mountainous uneven terrain and have enough experience backpacking to be self sufficient along the trip however the group should expect to remain together while hiking.