[at-l] Shuttle from neels gap

[hike-usa@msn.com (richard mann)]

Clyde wrote:

    This is my plan

(1) Drive to Neels gap on May 3. (Thursday)
(2) Park my car. About noon
(3) Get a shuttle to FS 42.
(4) Hike to Hawk Mountain Shelter (Thursday afternoon)
(5) Hike to Gooch Gap Shelter  (Friday)
(6) Hike to Woods Hole Shelter (Saturday)
(7) Hike to Neels Gap  (Sunday)  May 6
Drive Home go to work Monday

Does this make sense?  I need a ride from Neel's gap. Any ideas?

Pittsburgh responds:

Shuttles - Wes Wisson 706-747-2671 - Steve & Virginia Felker 706-745-3688

Long term parking is not allowed at Walisi-Yi at Neels Gap.  There is
parking alongside the road just west (north) of the gap, or stop in at
Walisi-Yi and ask where to park.  I'd try for an earlier start on Thursday.
It's at least an hour, probaly longer, to Springer from Neels.  Even if your
shuttles are prompt, you will have a late start hiking.  Once you get to
USFS42, you hike to Springer and back, then onto Hawk.  That is 8.5 miles of
hiking after starting late.  Maybe plan on a shorter first day - either
Three Forks (4.1), Long Creek Falls(5.0), or Hickory Flatts (5.8).  The trip
to Gooch the next day is a relative killer.  Sassafras Mtn (11.0), then
Justus Mtn (12.2), and a climb before Gooch.  Maybe plan on stopping at
Justus Creek (13.6) or Blackwell Creek (14.3).  If you do make Gooch (16.1),
the shelter is old and tiny and really not worth the trip up.  Go to the
road (16.4) and camp on either side.  An easier path to the shelter can be
found near the road anyway.  Woods Hole Shelter (26.6) is a distance off of
the trail (0.5).  Consider camping at Jarrard Gap (25.3), Bird Gap (26.7) or
Slaughter Gap (27.4).  The stone shelter atop Blood Mountain is an evil
place, so don't think about making it up there to spend the night.  On your
last day, if the weather is crappy, take the Freeman Trail to Neels Gap from
Bird Gap.  This saves a tough up and down over Blood Mountain that is
absolutely unnecesary and potentially dangerous in bad weather...

Other than that, your schedule looks good<g>...

pittsburgh