Unicoi Gap to Tray Mountain Hike

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Unicoi Gap to Tray Mountain Hike

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Appalachain Trail - Near Helen

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Nov 21 2009 9:30 am >> N/A (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Fri, Nov 13 2009 2:45 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Nov 20 2009 5:00 pm

Event Duration:

Approx 5-6 Hours plus travel time

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Trip Leader(s):

Kathy Malone
Stefan

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

16 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

Previous experience hiking in mountain conditions is highly recommended. For those that have hiked a trail similar to Blood Mountain with one summit over 1000 feet, this one has three. So you should have been able to complete a less strenuous hike fairly comfortably. If you haven't completed a D5 hike before, expect a call from us to discuss your experience and capability to do this hike.

Now that the leaves are falling from the trees and the temperatures are dropping, it's a great time to hike Tray Mountain. Along with Blood Mountain, it is the most panoramic view on the Georgia AT and you you will have 360-degree view of the surrounding area. If the weather is clear we should have a good view of the Nantahala Mountains in North Carolina and the rest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia.

This is an in and out hike with a total distance of 10.2 miles. The hike starts at Unicoi Gap on the Appalachian Trail just north of Helen, GA. We will go 5.1 miles to the summit of Tray Mountain and back.

Approximate Altitude Changes:
Ascend 1,125 feet to the top of Rocky Mountain at 1.3 miles
Descend 975 feet to Indian Grave Gap at 2.6 miles
Ascend 1,400 feet to the top of Tray Mountain at 5.1 miles
Total Ascent (round trip): 3,500 feet

Trail Description:
Miles 0.0 parking area, trail begins at far end
0.3 right switchback left switchback
0.6 step across small stream
1.0 trail levels off somewhat
1.3 top of Rocky Mountain
1.4 break in foliage offers good view on right (the half dome, south, is Yonah Mt.)
1.5 beginning of frequent views right, begin descent down right side of ridge
1.7 right, then left, switchback
2.6 Indian Grave Gap
3.3 cross dirt road
3.4 trail levels off somewhat
3.6 cross gap
4.1 rock outcropping on right provides good winter view grassy road on left
4.3 Tray Gap, bear right across roads
4.4 first of several switchbacks
4.9 rocky outcropping on left with good view, right switchback
5.1 top of Tray Mountain

Required Items to Bring:
Required Items to Bring:
2 liters or more of water
Trail snack/lunch
Hiking boots or shoes

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Refer to our Events Checklist to be sure you have everything you need.
Camera
Hiking Poles - for balance on possible ice
Emergency rain gear (even if it is a clear day with a 20 percent chance of rain)
Change of shoes and shirt for drive back

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

North on GA 400 from the park and ride. When GA 400 ends at Chevron station. continue on GA 115. Go 4.8 miles where GA 115 meets GA 52 and turn right. Continue on GA 115 until Cleveland GA. At traffic circle in Cleveland go north on US 129.

Continue past GA 75 to Alt GA 75. Take a right on Alt GA 75. Continue until Alt 75 ends at GA 75. Take left away from Helen. Continue on GA 75 until signs you see signs for AT parking lot on right side of highway.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

140Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:00 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $56.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

This trip is for advanced hikers with recent experience of hiking 10 or more miles in the mountains.
-We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in AOC events.
-Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with our without warning.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!
Note: Late cancellations, particularly within 36 hours of the event make it difficult for those on the wait list to attend. Please be courteous to your fellow AOC members and cancel with as much notice as possible.