Tray Mountain

Mike can finally make this hike, so although I did a variant of this hike on Saturday (30 Jan) I am happy to do it again. We had fantastic snow conditions 30 January; if any of the snow is left, it may be in the form of ice, so be prepared. Also, there were two blowdowns of rhododendrons, which we will stop to remove if they are still there.

This is the version of the Tray Mtn hike that starts at Unicoi Gap on Hwy 75. From the trailhead we ascend 1100 ft. over 1.3 miles to the top of Rocky Mtn, descend 800 ft. over 1.3 miles to Indian Grave Gap, ascend 1300 ft. over 2.4 miles to the summit of Tray Mtn, and continue a bit further to the off-trail lookout. We’ll have lunch there, enjoying the view, and then retrace our steps. I am allowing 6.5 hrs for the hike including lunch and all stops. Total elevation gain of 3200 ft.

Mike will be coordinating the carpool at Mansell park-and-ride. I'll be joining the group at 9:30 at the Cleveland Ingles, behind the gas pumps, which is also a good place to make a pit stop (includes a Starbucks).

We plan on having supper after the hike in Dahlonega at Shenanigan's pub, whose wide selection of beers has been tested and approved by one of the most discriminating of the AOC beer connoisseurs. If you cannot stay for supper, you will have to carpool with others who cannot stay or drive on your own to Ingles ("meet at event") and join the carpool for the remaining leg of the trip there.

It's winter with all its unpredictability. Please bring more clothes than you plan to wear, because you may have to wear them!

From the park-and-ride drive north on GA 400. When GA 400 ends at the Chevron Station, continue on GA 115. Drive 4.8 miles to where GA 115 meets GA 52. Turn right. Continue on GA 115 until you reach the traffic circle in Cleveland. Take US 129 north. At the next traffic light (intersection with GA 75), you will see Ingles to your right. Turn in and make a pit stop. Resuming the drive, take GA 75 in the direction of Helen. Turn left onto Asbestos Road and follow it to where it makes a T-junction with Alt GA 75. Turn right onto Alt GA 75 and continue to where it makes a T-junction with GA 75. Turn left onto GA 75 and stay on it to the top of the mountain, where signs announce the AT and parking (Unicoi Gap) on your right. The entire drive is on paved roads.

The trip leaders will be contacting anyone who has not done a D5-level hike recently to determine if this is a suitable hike for you.