Appalachian Trail - Coopers Gap to Hightower Gap (Union County, Georgia)

 

Continuing my quest to knock out the remaining Georgia sections of the Appalachian Trail (AT) that I haven't yet hiked, I organized a Meetup event to do a shorter section from Coopers Gap to Hightower Gap. As I think I've mentioned previously, I sectioned out the Georgia AT in such a way that all portions could be done as an out and back hike based up on trailheads reachable in my Subaru Outback. Todays' section is not that long, but due to the elevation gain and loss should be pretty challenging. In addition, I felt as though I was coming down with something yesterday and didn't eat a great deal, which may play into my energy level today.

One hike asked to carpool with me and so after picking her up, we headed to the trailhead at Coopers Gap, which is close to a two-hour drive. The last short section of the forest service road is a bit rough, but my car didn't seem to have any issues with it. Soon after our arrival, several familiar faces began arriving and we arranged our cars in the crossroads of two forest service roads, which serves as the trailhead. We did our customary round of introductions and then entered the woods.

Temperature-wise, it looks like it's going to be a great day for hiking. This first section, as we ascend Sassafras Mountain, is a pretty good climb, but everyone seems to be doing okay. We stop at the top for what will probably be one of our best views today, but even it is blocked by trees. This section does not have any really notable vistas. The downwards side of the mountain is pretty steep though and we begin to encounter several AT thru-hikers. I offer them some words of encouragement as they start the first days of their 2,000+ mile trek to Mount Katahdin in Maine. 

Reaching the bottom, we hit Horse Gap and a nice gentleman has set up some chairs and is offering water to the thru-hikers. He offers us a respite, but we're anxious to get our miles in. The next couple of miles are relatively uneventful and we finally reach Hightower Gap and stop for a short lunch break. We make use of some fallen logs and gather round to take in some calories. 

After ten or fifteen minutes, I suggest that we should wrap-up and start heading back. Everyone agrees and we start the trek back towards our starting point. I can feel myself getting a little tired by now. Though I just ate a peanut butter sandwich, I think yesterday's low caloric intake may be affecting me. Not long after restarting, we encounter a small garter snake seeking safety in the warped portion of a small tree. He's a cute little guy and poses for a picture before slithering off.

The hills on the way back do a number on my right knee and eventually each downward step begins to ache. We decide to stop at the gentleman's 'trail magic' spot this time and enjoy a short rest, which my knee is thankful for. He seems nice and offers everyone water. It seems he does this just to occupy himself and enjoy some socialization. I'm sure the thru-hikers really appreciate it. 

The final push up Sassafras Mountain is by far the hardest section for me, as it ascends for nearly a mile before reaching the summit. I'm pretty exhausted and the way back down the other side to our cars is really hard on my aching knee, but we make it without incident. Everyone thanks me for organizing the hike and begins to head out. Our total distance for the day was right at 7.0 miles. Not much, but at least I can check off another section.