Sat, Aug 18 2012 - AT Blue Ridge loop (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Stefan Participants: Stefan, Arlene, Jeanette, Andy

A great new addition to the repertoire of advanced AOC hikes, the AT Blue Ridge loop is a solid 21 mile hike with a total of approximately 3500 ft elevation gain. After parking the car near the second campground on Tallulah River Rd, we crossed the Tallulah River and hiked the 4WD road up Flat Branch Creek valley towards Blue Ridge Gap. The 3-mile trail crosses the creek several times though it is easy to navigate without getting wet feet after the initial river crossing. Upon reaching the gap, we turned north on the AT to hike the trail’s last 3 miles in Georgia. Shortly after crossing the state line at Bly Gap, the NC section of the AT greets you with two pretty substantive climbs up Sharp Top and Courthouse Bald. Once on top of Courthouse Bald, the good news is that the next 6+ miles to Deep Gap are mostly downhill with a few moderate bumps and stretches of flat. Shortly before Deep Gap, the AT has been rerouted, turning north at Wateroak Gap. Many maps (including mine) still show the AT looping around the Yellow Mtn range to the south. We ended up taking the old, still reasonably well maintained, trail to Deep Gap though it might be easier to follow the official AT on future hikes. From the Gap, it is a steady 1000-foot elevation climb up to the summit of Standing Indian. At 5500 ft the highest point of the hike, the view from the top never gets old (and we met up with Sam’s AOC group “doing Standing Indian slow and steady” by the classic route). From Standing Indian, we continued on the AT for 3 miles to Beech Gap where we turned west to descent to Beech Gap Creek. The upper section of this trail is not only very steep but also very poorly marked and bordering on bushwhacking. Nevertheless, it is the shortest way back to the Tallulah River and following the trail in the lower parts is much easier. After crossing the creek three times, we reached the road north of Tate City near the Sassafras Branch Campground. To hike back to the car, one can simply follow the dirt road through Tate City (that part of the hike would add another 3 miles to the total distance and is not particularly scenic). Fortunately, we could catch a ride with the other AOC group. For future installments of the AT Blue Ridge loop, it’s probably a good idea to organize a car shuttle between the two parking areas.