Jack’s Gap Trail to Poplar Stomp Gap on the AT

We start at Jack's Gap on Hwy 180 and take the Jack's Gap trail south. We hike up and down and up and down again to reach Chattahoochie Gap, where we meet the AT. A short side trail takes us to the headwaters of the mighty Chattahoochie River (pictured above), which flows to Atlanta and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. Returning to the gap, we head south on the AT for about 3.5 miles to Poplar Stomp Gap, where we will stop for lunch. Most of this stretch of the AT is on an old forest road that has a fair amount of stonework done by the CCC. I find it has a special atmosphere and is worth doing at least once a year. After lunch we will head back the way we came. Total elevation gain is about 2600 ft, which puts this hike on the easy end of D5 hikes. Depending on when we finish and on whether the road to Brasstown Bald is open, we might drive up and hike another 15 minutes to the summit.

Larry is going to co-ordinate the carpool at the park-and-ride. I and anyone "meeting at the event" will join the group at the Cleveland Ingles, on the far side of the gas pumps away from the front of the store, at 9:00 am. The Ingles has a Starbucks and, in its deli counter, take-out sandwiches and hot bisquits. I am not planning on a group dinner after the hike, but I am willing to stay for dinner if anyone is interested. 

From Indian Trail Park & Ride to Cleveland (60 miles): Take 85N, then 985N, then just before Gainesville take 129/11N. Stay on that road to Cleveland and drive through the town (and around the old courthouse) to the intersection with 75 (going to Helen). The Ingles is at the NE corner of the intersection.

From Ingles we take GA 75 towards Helen, but then turn left on to Asbestos Rd. At the junction with Alt GA 75, turn right, and at the junction with GA 75 (after the bridge), turn left. We drive up the mountain past Unicoi Gap and down the other side to where the road begins to level off; turn left on 180 and continue for about 10 minutes to Jacks Gap parking area.

Travel time: 1 hour to Cleveland plus 45 minutes to Jack’s Gap.

I will be contacting anyone who has not done at least a D4 hike with the AOC to determine whether this is an appropriate hike for you.