Mile
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Hiker Rated
Parking Safety |
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Directions
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Comments
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Number of Vehicles
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Map &
Weather
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Source
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Take US 76 west from Dicks Creek Gap for 2.8 miles and turn right onto USFS 72.
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Narrow and rutted USFS 72 crosses the AT at Blue Ridge Gap. This road is normally only passable by 4-wheel drive vehicles. 1/30/2006
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The attached map give the directions to Blue Ridge Gap from the intersection of US76 and Barefoot Road. Descriptions of USFS 72(AKA Charlies Creek Road) at Blue Ridge Gap include 'sometime passable', 'poor road', 'abandoned' and 'narrow and rutted'. Access by passenger car seems problematic at best. I am not sure where the bad portion begins, but I suspect it is the last mile where the road climbs out of the valley. I do not know if parking is possible at the beginning of the bad portion. If it is, the last piece could be done on foot. The marker indicates the AT crossing.
NoteI If coming from Dicks Creek Gap, the alternate route shown on the map might be better
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At the gap, the southbound AT goes right, the northbound goes left. 12/30/09
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Parking reportedly very limited in gap
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David Cullen
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We were shuttled by Bill's Wheels from Clayton to Blue Ridge Gap on 9/4. The section from the end of the paved road to Blue Ridge Gap is, some reports notwithstanding, not accessible by passenger car. Road is severely rutted with large exposed rocks, boulders. Four-wheel drive and strong stomach necessary to make it all the way to the gap. 10/02/10
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rweaver @ qwwdlaw.com
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Jan-26 2013: If you access from the west (so leaving Rt76 and heading NE on Upper Hightower Road) is OK until the pavement ends - but that last 0.7m or so of uphill dirt road is NOT easy ... you need 4WD, ground clearance and good driving skills ... or can walk to the trailhead from the end of the pavement. 02/20/13
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tucker8ga @ gmail.com
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Parking area .7 miles from trail crossing high clearance vehicle not required, room for 4 cars 34.958074, -83.606857
Trail Crossing 4x4 high clearance recommended room for 1-2 cars: 34.959055, -83.596171
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Begin at the intersection of US 76 & Upper Hightower Road. Continue on Upper Hightower Road (name will change to Charlies Creek Road). Most Shuttles drop you off at the intersection of Charlies Creek Road and Upper Hightower Creek Road (approximate location: 34.957837, -83.608107). If you are driving in a car other than a 4x4/high clearance vehicle, continue up the hill for just a little over a tenth of a mile and on your right hand side is a parking area (approximate location: 34.958074, -83.606857) that holds about 4 cars. If you reach the gated home, you have gone too far-this is also the approximate area where the road becomes difficult. From there you will need to hike about .7 miles/600ft in elevation gain to reach the intersection of the AT. With a suitable 4x4 high clearance vehicle, you may be able to make it all the way to the trail intersection where 1-2 cars can pull off to the side. 06/02/22
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4
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WardandDA @ gmail.com
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I was able to drive all the way to the AT without too much difficulty in a Subaru Forrester on consecutive days. The road is rough and there are several ruts/dips along the way. If you drive slowly and cautiously, you can make it to the top but I would strongly recommend 4 wheel drive. The first day there were five cars safely parked at the top, four were 4-wheel drive and one was a Ford Fusion. The second day there were two cars, both 4-wheel drive. 05/03/23
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carolanse @ outlook.com
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Trail Crossing and Parking: 34.91227, -83.61884
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The trail crosses paved US 76/ GA 2, 10.5 miles east of Hiawassee, GA and 16 miles west of Clayton, GA. There is a large paved USFS lot on the north side of the road. There is also a picnic area. During the 'bubble' period, it is not unusual to find trail angels-magic in this parking lot.
Northbound hikers (to Section 11) follow trail through picnic area and ascend along a small stream. Southbound hikers (to Section 12) cross road and enter woods.
A reminder that Georgia AT parking lots have a history of overnight car break-ins and catalytic converter theft. 05/18/22 (revalidated April 2023)
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15
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WardandDA @ gmail.com
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