Dally Gap to Big Frog & Chimneytop Mtn - Thu, May 4 2023

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Dally Gap to Big Frog & Chimneytop Mtn


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Cohutta Wilderness   Hike: Dally Gap to Big Frog & Chimneytop Mtn  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, May 4 2023  8:45 am >> Thu, May 4 2023 4:15 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Apr 26 2023 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, May 3 2023 9:00 pm
Event Duration:7 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D6: Advanced (Exploratory)
Distance:17 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tim W
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Come join me hiking the BMT in Cohutta and Big Frog Wilderness.  This challenging out and back hike will follow the BMT north from Dally Gap on the Hemptop and Big Frog trails up and over Big Frog and Chimneytop mountains before retracing our route back .

We'll climb steadily from the Dally Gap trailhead to the Georgia/Tennessee border before a tough ascent up Big Frog Mountain.  Along the way we'll pass the popular Penitentiary Branch Trail leading to Jacks River. After reaching the top of Big Frog Mtn we'll continue following the BMT for a beautiful ridge walk on Big Frog trail to its intersection with Fork Ridge trail where we'll turn around and head back.

I did 90% of this hike last month and this section of the BMT is clear and well maintained. It's marked as exploratory because I haven't hiked the first 2 miles from Dally Gap or the last mile over Chimneytop Mtn.

The last 3 miles on FS Road 22-2 to Dally Gap are bumpy but passable. Be aware that my Google GPS directions got confused at the hard right turn onto Forrest Service Rd 22-2 off Foster Branch Road.

This is a solid D6 hike covering over 17 miles with 4300+ feet elevation gain. Average pace should be around 2.7 mph.  Recent D6 or high end D5 experience is a prerequisite.  Be sure you're comfortable with hikes lasting up to 7 hours (moving time) at a faster pace (up to 3.0 mph).  Hikers without D6 experience may get an email to assess your compatibility.


Required Items to Bring:

water and/or sports drink

lunch and snacks

sturdy and comfortable hiking shoes or boots

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

hiking poles

rain gear

sunny disposition

towel


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Dally Gap Trailhead parking will be on the left along FS Rd 22-2.

Click here for trailhead location

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):130Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $52.00 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:


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


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.