Little Skeenah Creek to Toccoa suspension bridge and Bryson Gap on BMT & DRT

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Little Skeenah Creek to Toccoa suspension bridge and Bryson Gap on BMT & DRT

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Little Skeenah Creek trailhead

Hike: Little Skeenah Creek to Toccoa suspension bridge and Bryson Gap on BMT & DRT

Date(s) & Time:

Thu, Jan 15 2026 9:45 am >> Thu, Jan 15 2026 3:30 pm (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Mon, Dec 29 2025 7:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Wed, Jan 14 2026 4:00 pm

Event Duration:

5 Hours 45 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult

Distance:

11 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Chuck M

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You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Join me for a hike on the Benton MacKaye Trail/Duncan Ridge Trail (they coincide for this section). We will begin at Little Skeenah Creek trailhead and head south. We will climb about 800 feet up Toonowee Mountain then Tooni Mountain before descending to the Toccoa River, where we will cross the 260' Toccoa suspension bridge, reputedly the longest one in the southern US. From there we will climb about 1,000 feet to Bryson Gap. We will stop at Bryson Gap for a lunch break before returning back the way we came to our cars. In 11 miles we will climb 2,750 feet.

We will get some great views from Toonowee and Tooni mountains, and we get to cross the famous Toccoa suspension bridge twice! The BMT is far less heavily used than the AT, but the Toccoa suspension bridge is a popular destination for locals and it is accessible by road. Only that section is likely to be busy.

You should have D5 experience within the last three months to do this trip. If you find yourself moved to the waitlist, it likely is because you don't have that with the club. If you send me a link to a comparable hike within the last three months, I'll consider whether it qualifies you for this event.

Here is the route map:

Required Items to Bring:

Shoes and clothing appropriate to the weather and climbing

Water

Lunch

Snacks

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

Hiking poles

Binoculars

Camera

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

I have not found a name for which GPS software will return the correct location. The best way to find it is entering the GPS coordinates into your navigation software:

34.76604° N, 84.16367° W

The following link works in Apple Maps:

https://maps.apple.com/?ll=34.766042,-84.163673&q=Little%20Skeenha%20Creek%20Trailhead,%20%20BMT&t=m

There is a small paved parking lot on the north side of GA 60, about .7 mile east of Skeenah Gap trailhead. But be forewarned! There are at least three crossings of the BMT in this area. Your best bet is to meet at the carpool.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

186Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:00 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $74.40 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:

There are no bathroom facilities at the parking lot. There might be a privy at one or more of the campgrounds we pass, but I can't confirm that. So plan to make a bathroom stop before you get to the trailhead. Be sure to allow enough time to still get to the trailhead in time for introductions and a 9:30 start.

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

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

Registration for this event opens at 12/29/2025 7:00:00 AM