Sun, May 3 2015 - Unicoi Gap To Brasstown Bald (and back) (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Ron S Participants: Ron S, LIM Verona (Laura M), Paresh, Dan Hildebrand, Andrea T, Laura X, Serge A

Well, I had a  great time, and I think the others did.  The problem was, everybody left me in the dust when I stopped early on to take off a layer.  That's ok because I knew that someone in each of the three subgroups knew where to go and how to get home. They all were smiling when we crossed paths on their return trip so that's usually a good sign.   It was quite a workout, ... both Paresh's Garmin and "My Tracks" GPSs registered 19.35 miles.  I measured a cumulative altitude gain of 7681 ft and a pace of 1.95 mph.  I was the sweeper, so everyone was faster. 

Aside from those boring (to some) stats, it was a perfect day with amazing views and many wildflowers.   In the picture below, that ridge from the center to the right is the "Tennessee Valley Divide" which we followed for the first 4.5 miles on the AT section of this hike.

At least two of us ventured a short sidetrip down from Chattahoochee Gap to see the source of the Chattahoochee.  It's basically a muddy hole in a large bowl- shaped valley and looks like any other water source marked on the GA AT, but it felt magical to me thinking of how long these mountains have been here and all that has happened downstream over the ages.

Thanks all for coming out:  I'm sure you all slept well afterwards!