[at-l] Springer>Fontana Dam Part 2

["Coosa" <coosa@alltel.net>]

I agree with Pittsburg -- skip the Whitley Gap shelter UNLESS there's chance
of tornadoes or hail or severe weather -- then boogie on down there.  Water
is 500 feet farther down, but some of the sweetest you'll taste.

GATC is planning a relo of the area from Sheep Rock Top to Low Gap.  (the
last mile before Low Gap).  Hikers will be glad when they finish it!

ENOTA Campground is off the trail between Red Clay Gap and Blue Mountain
Shelter.  It has teepees set up for families and campers.  I haven't been
there, but it might be a good weekend activity for me.  Will report back.

I Second Pittsburg's description of the descent into Unicoi Gap -- WATCH
YOUR FEET going down and if you hear noise or want to look at the scenery
STOP, plant yourself and THEN look.  There is a rocky area that has caused
many a fall and a few broken bones (wrists when caught in hiking poles,
ferinstance).  When it's wet those rocks are slippery and when there are wet
leaves on the rocks, they're even MoRe slippery.

The Alpine Town of Helen is a touristy place, but the people there have been
known to be very nice to ThruHikers -- Some of the waitpersons at Mamie's
will shuttle you back to the Trail, if you ask.  (And don't expect the
nicely dressed SundaygotoMeeting people to give you a hitch into town -- I
tried stopping people by standing in the Middle of the Road last Easter --
finally had a family in a pickup stop for the hikers i was trying to help.)

When you get to Addis Gap, if you go to the Right, you'll find water a nice
downhill of half a mile -- it's the site of the OLD shelter and where ???
what's his name, folks, senior moment here -- Has His Big Party around
Easter Weekend each year.  OH, if you're there at the right time of the year
(mid summer) There are wild blackberries and raspberries growing along the
road to the water!

Last summer there was a 5 1/2 foot Rattlesnake on top of Kelly Knob -- as
you crest going north, there's a tree with a clump of grass right next to
the Trail -- be appropriately cautious.

The outfitter in Hiawassee has moved to the shopping center with the Regions
Bank, next to the Amoco Station, across from the Subway and the Hiawassee
Inn.  They are also the FedEx and UPS shipper.  Winter hours tho are 10-2, I
expect him to open longer during Thru-Season.  It's about a mile from the
Post Office, Ingles Grocery, and a TrueValue Hardware Store.

Coosa




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