AtlantaOutdoorClub
sponsor
Sun, Sep 28 2008 - Kelly Knob via Appalachian Trail (View Original Event Details)

Trip Leader(s): John Weatherman
Participants:Scott Looper, Sunnie, Terry, Jenna B, Marshall, Gary Babiarz, Jennifer Rush, Geri Dominguez, Ross Davis, Alex V, Melanie Dixon, John Weatherman, Jane T, Janet Warncke, shadawn


Click for Album
Write Up:
September 28, 2008 by Scott Looper The Appalachian Trail crosses highway 76 at Dicks Creek Gap just west of Clayton, Georgia. This is where our AOC hike began this past Sunday. We had a beautiful day and a hearty group of hikers ready to tackle the trail. Hiking south on the AT, the trail immediately begins with a heart pounding climb to Powell Mountain. Once it levels off, the trail meanders through a long tunnel like canopy of mountain laurel. Along the way we met a few weekend backpackers who seemed eager to reach their trail’s end. Our destination waited a few more climbs ahead. After a little over two hours of steady hiking, we reached our goal. Kelly Knob pocesses all of the excitement one would expect from a knob… not much. It’s little more than a non descript wide place along the trail. Kelly Knob’s most distinct feature however, is its’ height. At around 4200 feet, Kelly Knob is tied for tenth highest peak in Georgia. On the way up we had passed a side trail with a sign that read “vista,” so we decided to head back and make that our lunch spot. We were rewarded with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge all the way into North Carolina. The leaves are just beginning to change, and a special treat for me was spotting a Black and White Warbler, so now I have a new bird to add to my list. After a well deserved break we headed back down the mountain to our cars. We all got a good workout on a strenuous trail and were rewarded with great views and good company. That’s a pretty good day in my book! Oh, and the yellowjackets are still active. We stirred them up and a few in our group were stung!