July 6, 2021
Unicoi Gap to Andrews Cove via Cheese Factory
Turned out to be a nice day and a nice hike on our second one-way hike. The trail was in good condition considering its heavy use. Rocky and a steady incline on the first leg on the AT. The rest of the hike was not very strenuous with only a 0.8 mile stretch of incline from Indian Grave Gap to the Cheese Factory. Ray's suggestion to take the Rocky Mountain Trail instead of the AT seems to have been a good choice. Not a lot of wild flowers nor views today. I would rate the sum of the trails we took to be moderate to difficult. My Garmin showed the distance to be 7.5 miles rather than 6.7 miles.
The route
6.7 mi · 1,450 ft climbing · 4h 51m out, 4h 5m walking · 1.6 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
One photo is shown on the map where it was taken — click it to see it full size.
Photos (22)
Typical Trail on AT out of Unicoi Gap AT trail marker at Unicoi Gap Trail marker at start of hike. Asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis) Wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescen) Which way? Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida) Japanese meadowsweet (Spiraea japonica) Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum ) Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida) Let's get started. Trail markers Fruit on Soloman's Seal Lunch at the Cheese Factory . . . what Cheese Factory? Massive Fungus ~ 15" in diameter Lonely, small Foam Flower in the middle of the trail. Start of the last leg of this hike. Trail to Andrews Cove . . . a.k.a. Poison Ivy Alley Today's Hikers (L-R): Dick, Mike, Christine, Bob, Trushna, Dr. Tim, Ray, Litefoot, Jenny, Renee & Angela Hikers at the Cheese Factory: Ray, Christine, Dr. Tim, Renee, Trushna, Mike, Jenny & Litefoot Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corrllata) Just beginning to open: Tall thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana)