Thursday, May 25, 2017
Start: GA 75/Unicoi Gap
End: Neel Gap/US 19/Mountain Crossings hostel
Miles: 21.2
I stayed the night at the Top of Georgia hostel again and was back on trail by 8:30am. I climbed from Unicoi Gap (2949′) up to Blue Mountain (4025′), then descended to Red Clay Gap (3485′). I went past Low Gap Shelter (3024′) and climbed up to Sheep Rock Top (3558′), then descended to ~3100′ and climbed up Poor Mountain (3620′). I passed by Wildcat Mountain (3637′), descended to Tesnatee Gap (3138′), and then climbed to Cowrock Mountain (3842′), Wolf Laurel Top (3780′), and Levelland Mountain (3870′).
I arrived at Neel Gap (3125′) at 4:30pm, meaning I averaged ~2.7 MPH (average speedy hiking is 2 MPH). I arrived in time to get some dinner from the outfitter while checking in at their hostel.
People described this hostel as a “basement dungeon,” and I must agree. There are at least 12 other people here at the hostel (and they’re the louder, slower, and less prepared hikers), and the hostel is clearly an after thought for the folks who run the outfitter upstairs. The water runs and there’s a shower, though the drain of the shower backs up.
Tomorrow is my last night on trail; I’ll arrive at Springer on Saturday afternoon!
Transcending Mountains 