Not quite Georgia Loop 2017

Plans sometimes fall through. The great plan was to hike the Georgia Loop. Due to terrain and weather difficulties my time allotment was used up well before reaching the end. This does not negate the adventure.

I arrived at the Springer Mountain Trailhead shortly after lunch. Hiked up to the top of Springer Mountain to take my picture with the plaque marking the start of the Appalachian Trail. In that walk I must have saw two dozen people. Back at the trailhead I grabbed my pack and headed north up the trail. Once I passed Three Forks and Long Creek Falls the foot traffic died down. I swung northwest on the Benton Mackaye/Duncan Ridge Trails and pitched camp at No Name Gap.

With morning brightening, I continued north on the BMT/DRT. Localized foot traffic picked up again as I neared the Toccoa Swinging Bridge. This is a 260+ ft. swinging foot bridge built in 1977. After leaving the Toccoa River behind I made my way over the Tooni and Wallaha Mountains. With end of the day creeping upon me I made a dry camp in the gap west of Licklog Mountain.

Up and over Licklog Mountain. I watered up at a spring above Sea Creek and made for the BMT/DRT junction. After a long up and down day I made camp in Akin Gap. I did not reach my planned destination.

Started this day by hiking over Clements and Akin Mountains. Topped off my water at Mulky Gap. This day turned into a day of knobs. West Wildcat, Buck, and Buckeye Knobs each provided their own individual challenges. I reached Whiteoak Stomp, my original destination the previous day, late in the afternoon. I did not have the energy to cross the Coosa Bald before the end of the day. Filled up my water from the springs that feed Logan Creek and hung my hammock for the night.

The rain started in the evening and after some time I was thinking of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet (The rain, rain, rain came down, down, down in rushing, rising riv'lets 'Til the river crept out of its bed and crept right into Piglet's.). Attempted to wait out the weather to no avail. Packed my damp gear and headed over Coosa Bald. Reached Wolfpen Gap by noon and it is still raining. Made a command decision and turned east on Hwy 180 and hiked the three miles to Vogel State Park. Called my new friend and hero Gene from Hiawassee and set him up to shuttle me back to my truck. Thus ends my attempt to hike the Georgia Loop.