Dayhike the GA AT - Section 6: Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap

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Section 6: Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap

This is arguably the toughest of the seven sections in this series. While it has a fairly flat middle section, the long climbs at the start up Rocky Mtn and Tray mtn, plus the total distance just make it very challenging. It will be a rather grueling hike, but definitely an adventure and well worth the effort. This section includes views from Tray Mtn plus a nice overlook near Kelly Knob.

This being a point-to-point hike, we will begin by shuttling cars...dropping some vehicles off at Dicks Creek Gap and taking the remaining ones to the start at Unicoi Gap. Once that bit of logistics is taken care of, we are stepping back onto the AT, headed east from Unicoi Gap at 2949'.

We start with a 1050' climb up to Rocky Mtn over about 1.3 mi...then descend about 1300' to Indian Grave Gap. From there it is up 1300' over the next 2.4 mi to the summit of Tray Mtn (4430'), the 2nd hightest mtn on the GA AT. The views from Tray mtn are decent, but there are better views from near the Tray mtn shelter just past it..so we'll take the .2 mile side trail and our first long lunch break here.

Over the next 5 miles, there are no major climbs. This area is known as the "Swag of the Blue Ridge". According to the Appalachian trail conference guide: “This area is called a “swag” or “low point” and is a long, broad ridgecrest with only moderate elevation change, extending for more than three miles- among the remotest areas of the Georgia Trail.”

At 10.8 mi, we reach Addis Gap and it is a 900' climb over 1.1 miles to the shoulder of Kelly Knob. This is the one of the two peaks of Double Spring Knob and the highest mtn between the NC line and Tray mtn on the AT. We don't pass directly over the summit, but there is a nice overlook near here that we try to find.. After another lunch break here, we will start heading down...there will be an optional .3 mile side trip to the Deep Gap shelter but those who are too tired at this point can skip it. But it is mostly downhill (but with a few short climbs) from Kelly Knob over the last 4.2 miles to Dick Creek Gap to end section 7.

We will return to Hogpen Gap to pick up the other cars, and head home, with an optional stop for pizza...the restaurant has a buffet as well as other items on the menu.

To summarize, the three big climbs in this section are:

Unicoi Gap to Rocky Mtn 1050’ in 1.3 mi
Indian Grave Gap to Tray Mtn 1300’ in 2.5 mi
Addis Gap to Kelly Knob 900’ in 1.1 mi

Mileage breakdown:
- Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap: 16.1 mi mi
- side trip to Tray mtn shelter .4 mi
Total distance: ~16.5 miles.
Total ascent: ~5000+ feet.

Click on elevation profile for larger version: