Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap and back

We will park at The Byron Reese Memorial parking ( the lot fills up fast). We will walk .6 mile on Georgia Route 19 to Neels Gap (bathrooms). This is where the hike begins heading east on The Appalachian Trail into The Raven Cliffs Wilderness. Within a short distance the trail will cross over a steep climb (800 ft Travel gain) into Levelland Mountain (3,848). The trail will soon descend into Swaim Gap carrying us into Buzzard Rock Ridge (3,574). Still heading East we will follow the Ridge a short distance and then summit Wolf Laurel Top ( 3,786). There is a short spur trail south to view, after the stop it's off to Cowrock (3,852) for lunch. After lunch we descend into Tesnatee Gap and turn south to Whitley Gap Trail. I will be looking for Wildcat Mountain (3,760) to the west for a view. Once viewed we then turn back to the A/T head East To Hogpen Gap. Once at Hogpen Gap we slop the pigs and turnaround on the A/T and retrace our tracks back to the cars! Mountain Travel is approximately 4,400 ft. This is a Mountain hike if you have not completed recently several D-5 & D-6 over 10 mile hikes with the A.O.C. In the North Ga Mountains you probably should not sign up. I will use my discretion in judging your ability to hike this event. The leader does reserve the right to remove anyone if warranted.

We will meet in the Byron Reece Memorial parking area. This parking lot is located on US-19, about 0.5 miles north of Neels Gap, on the left side of the road. Coordinates: 34.7418, -83.9226 Link to directions starting from Mansell Park & Ride: http://goo.gl/nrjhYC

Will hike in rain if conditions are favorable. Let nature be the sounds.🙏