Sun, Jun 11 2017 - Key swap Unicoi Gap to Track Rock Gap 15.5 miles (View Original Event Details)
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Another successful key swap, check. This one started early with arranging our gear in carpools just as the sun was brightening up the sky. We set off north, stopping briefly for coffee and supplies and bathroom before parting ways, headed for different trailheads. Team Wynn zoomed off toward Unicoi Gap while Team Lisa zigzagged along toward Track Rock Gap.
Both teams hit the trailhead at precisely the same time (ok, within 17 minutes of one another) with the same goal: the highest point in the state of Georgia. Brasstown Bald. Team Lisa parked at the Petrograph Site, picking up Charles who was waiting there to meet us at the event. Crossed the street and onto the Arkaquah Trail. It was as remembered - a great deal of steep ascent right off the bat, then the switchbacks, then the ridge, where we regrouped and took off again. Then the bouldering, some rolling terrain, then the parking lot for the Brasstown Bald Visitor Center. We made short work of tackling the paved path up to the observation tower, took in the views, and back down we went. We were just readying to move on when.... across the parking lot, here comes Team Wynn.
They had moved fast, despite an immediate relentless thousand-foot climb out of Unicoi Gap, followed by a few miles on the AT. They then turned north at Chattahoochee Gap onto Jacks Knob Trail where they were greeted with a two-mile stretch of constant elevation gain. Despite these calf burners, Team Wynn knocked those nine miles out like a boss. So there we were, face to face, the two teams. What were we to do? Well, execute the key swap first, of course!!! And document it with photos, and note, this is a very unusual key swap, an uneven number of vehicles. It gets complicated. Anyway, fuel up is what we did second. We enjoyed a variety of delicacies on the porch before deciding it was time to move on.
Team Wynn first made their ascent to the summit of Brasstown Bald, then set forth along the Arkaquah Trail. Their knees got a workout on the steep descent into Track Rock Gap. Back to the car and on to Gustavo's - to await Team Lisa's arrival. Meanwhile, Lisa's crew was making their own way out of Jack's Gap where we even got to make a highway crossing of Hwy. 180. Then it was up and down to Chattahoochee Gap and the intersection with the AT. Regrouping once again, we left behind the blue-blazed Jacks Knob Trail and turned east to follow the familiar white blazes of the AT. The last leg of our journey took us up and over Blue Mountain and over lengthy sections of the trail that were completely comprised of large, sometimes loose rocks. It was like walking up a dry riverbed.
Wrapping up, we reached the cars and joined our compadres at Gustavo's. All in all, a fantastic day, perfect weather, great companionship, beautiful scenery. What more could you ask?
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