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Number of Vehicles
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Map &
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Parking and trail crossing: 34.677678, -84.000047
2 miles south of Suches on GA 60. From Dahlonega drive North on US 19 /GA 9. GA 60 soon comes in from the left. US 19/GA 9 diverge right at Rockpile Gap which is about 9 miles from Dahlonega. Continue on GA 60 for 5.3 miles to Woody Gap. There is a large parking area on the right and a smaller one on the left.
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There is parking on BOTH sides of GA 60. There are picnic tables, trash receptacles and compost toilets.
The northbound AT passes through the larger lot and goes east toward Section 15. The trail begins the ascent of Big Cedar Mountain. The southbound AT to Section 16 continues through the small parking lot and goes west.
Revalidated by Nancy H. / September 2024
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40
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at @ rohland.org
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Main Parking: 34.652179, -84.032213. FYI, there is a second small parking area, on the same side of the road, just north of this parking area
From Woody Gap (mile 0.0) go north on GA 60 for 1.5 miles then turn left on Cooper Gap Road AKA FS 42). Alternatively go south from Suches for 0.5 miles on GA 60 and go right on Cooper Gap Road. This goes west then south. Thee AT crosses in Gooch Gap in 2.8 miles about a mile after the road goes from paved to gravel. Total distance from Suches is 3.3 miles. The road makes a sharp turn to the right (west) here.
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General Notes: 1. Reaching all the access points in this section except Woody Gap involves driving on Forest Service dirt or gravel roads. The condition of these may vary. 2. If coming from Dahlonega there may be more direct ways to reach some of the access points in this section. Use the Google maps to get direction via these other routes.
In rainy weather the area around the Gooch Gap parking area can become a gooey mess.
The trailheads begin Southwest of the parking area. The northbound AT to Woody Gap goes east, the southbound AT to Cooper Gap goes west.
Updated and Revalidated by Nancy H. / September 2024
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3-4
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David Cullen
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parking and trail crossing: 34.653000, -84.084600
From the intersection of Coopers Gap Road (AKA FS 42) and GA 60 which is 0.5 miles south of Suches and 1.5 miles north of Woody Gap (Mile 0.0), go west on the former. This turns south. About 3.5 miles from GA 60, stay on Coopers Gap Road which goes right. Stay on Coopers Gap Road for another 5.3 miles to an intersection of forest roads,. FS 15 goes right, FS 80 goes left while FS 42 continues straight ahead. This is Cooper Gap. Total distance from Suches is 9.3 miles
Here is a route from Dahlonega that involves less driving on gravel roads. US 19/GA 60 bypasses Dahlonega to the east. Business US 19 (AKA Historic US 19)/ GA 60 makes a loop through town and rejoins the main highway north of town. From this northern intersection go west of Business route from about 2 miles, then go right on Camp Washega Road. There is a sign for Camp Merrill here. Follow the paved road for about 8 miles to a T intersection at the entrance to Camp Merrill. Go right on Cooper Gap Road (USFS) which almost immediately becomes a gravel surfaced road. The road climbs to meet USFS 42 in Cooper Gap in approximately 3 miles.
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Note: See General Notes at Mile 3.6 Other than a Coopers Gap Road sign at the turnoff from GA 60 and an occasional USFS 42 sign, I saw no street signs along this route. There are none in Cooper Gap. There is a small parking area for 2-3 cars at the intersection. There is room for roadside parking for a few more.
The AT can clearly be seen on the satellite view which was obviously taken when leaves were off the trees. From the intersection, the southbound trail heads west. The northbound trail heads east.
Updated by Nancy H. / September 2024
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2-3
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at @ rohland.org
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See directions to Cooper Gap. From there go west on FS 42 for 1.6 miles. The road climbs out of Cooper gap, then descends into Horse Gap. Look for a dirt parking area on the right (south side of the road) at the bottom of the descent. Revalidated by Nancy H. / September 2024
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The trail passes by the south end of the parking area. The northbound trail goes east while the southbound goes west.
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6-8
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2014 (this area may no longer be present as of 2024) See directions to Cooper Gap. From there go west on FS 42 for 2.2 miles (.6 miles west of Horse Gap). Look for a dirt parking area on the south side of FS42.
September 2024 update from Nancy H.: From Horse Gap, go westerly on FS 42 approximately 1.5 miles to a Southside pull off area for 2-3 cars. Approximate location: 34.662255, -84.123441
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2014: The trail passes by the south end of the parking area. The northbound trail goes east while the southbound goes west. 06/07/14 2024 update: We did not find parking in the reported .6 miles area west of Horse Gap and found no parking area like the one pictured in the photos section.
2024 pull off parking: At this pull-off, we were able to see the white blaze marked AT about 50 feet away. There was an obvious access path leading that short stretch. We noted no other easy parking or access along FS 42 before reaching Hightower Gap. We submitted a picture of the pull off area we found. Editor's note: A new photo has been added to this section to reflect this location
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6-8
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David Cullen
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Parking and Trailheads: 34.663683, -84.129692
See directions to Cooper Gap (Mile 8.4). Continue west on FS 42 (There are no road signs aside from an occasional USFS 42 sign). Go 3.7 miles to the intersection with USFS 69. This is Hightower Gap. Total distance from Suches is 13.0 miles.
Here is a route from Dahlonega that involves less driving on gravel roads. US 19/GA 60 bypasses Dahlonega to the east. Business US 19 (AKA Historic US 19) / GA 60 makes a loop through town and rejoins the main highway north of town. From this northern intersection go west on BUSINESS Route US 19 for about 2 miles, then go right on Camp Washega Road. Follow the paved road for about 8 miles to a T intersection at the entrance to Camp Merrill. Go right on Coopers Gap Road (USFS) which almost immediately becomes a gravel surfaced road. The road climbs to meet USFS 42 in Coopers Gap in approximately 3 miles. Go left (west) on USFS 42 for 3.7 miles to the intersection with USFS 69 (no signs) at Hightower Gap.
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See General Notes at Mile 3.6. for discussion on road conditions.
There is possible roadside parking for a few more vehicles
The northbound trail to Section 16 goes east. The southbound trail to Section 17 goes west.
Revalidated by Nancy H. / September 2024
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3-4
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at @ rohland.org
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