It’s been almost a year since our last AT trek, so we’re past due. This post is going to be a work in progress. I’ll update it as I get more information.

Friday:

Leave in the afternoon and drop off a car at Rock Gap, NC.

From Franklin, follow US64 West 11.4 miles (from overpass where US23 goes South to Atlanta) to left turn at sign saying “Appalachian Trail” and “Standing Indian Campground”. Follow this road (Old Rt. 64) 1.9 miles to sign reading “Standing Indian Campground” and turn right on paved road (FS67). Follow road for one-half mile to parking area with sign “Rock Gap”. The AT passes through area without crossing road, go left for Northbound, right for Southbound.

Backtrack to Deep Gap to start our hike.

Deep Gap — Reached via highway US64 and Forest Service 71. From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 13.6 miles (from overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71. Turn is just past top of hill with ‘Clay County’ sign. From West, follow US64 East past Hayesville, NC, make long climb up mountain, and near top of second climb, watch for sign for FS71 on right. FS71 is a 6-mile single-lane gravel road, normally quite passable for autos. Note that this road is closed during the Winter — usually between Jan. 1st and March 15th. Follow FS71 to parking area at end; the AT crosses through this parking area. To go South on AT, head West out of parking area — to go North, head East.

Hike approximately 1 mile northbound to Standing Indian Shelter to make camp. Info on Standing Indian Shelter below.

Standing Indian Shelter. Built in the summer of 1995 this is one of the new Nantahala style shelters and is a slight relocation of the previous shelter (built in 1964). The new site is slightly north of the former location and has a stream near by on a blue-blazed trail. Construction pictures of the new shelter are in the Photo Album ^[1].

Saturday:

19.8 miles remain. We have a couple of options. If we’re determined to stay at shelters, we can hike to Carter Gap Shelter, only 7.6 miles for the day. Alternatively, we can hoof it to Big Spring Shelter, a 14.4 mile jaunt. Given that we have to tackle Standing Indian Mountain (5,498′) and Albert Mountain (5,250′) in order to make it to Big Spring, it’s unlikely. I imagine we’ll either make Saturday an easier day and camp at Carter Gap or forgo the shelter option and make camp somewhere in between, such as Betty Creek Gap (11.3 miles).

Sunday:

Hike from wherever we stopped on Saturday to Rock Gap, NC. If we camp at Betty Creek (most likely scenario), we’ll have 8.5 miles remaining. Upon arrival at Rock Gap, we’ll still need to drive back to Deep Gap to pick up our other vehicle.