June 1, 2021
Unicoi Gap to Jacks Gap
This was another good hike and a bit more of a challenge for this group in both the elevation gained and the hiking over several sections of large rock-laden along the trail from Unicoi Gap to Chattahoochee Gap. Fortunately the trail was dry which minimized the risk of slipping. Some of our hikers took advantage of the opportunity to hike the short distance down to the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, although admittedly not impressive. We were rewarded throughout the hike by a wide variety of wildflowers The hike seemed a bit longer than the 7.2 miles logged, but that was most likely from the early rock scrambles we encountered. I appreciate everyone's willingness to participate in this group's first one-way hike requiring some coordination to drop cars and shuttle between the finish and trailhead. This opens some opportunities for us in future hikes where the shuttle is not too lengthy.
The route
7.2 mi · 1,883 ft climbing · 5h 20m out, 4h 31m 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 (45)
It's a Rocky Road between Unicoi and Chattahoochee Gaps Today's Hikers (L-R): Ray, Lynn, Gary, Kim, Vic, Edwin, Jenny, Mike, Jim, Christine & Tim Four-leaf Milkweed(Asclepias quadrifolia Sorry about the focus! Spiderwort (Tradescantia subaspera) Golden Alexander (Zizia trifoliata) Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) A bit overgrown on this section of the trail Trails Markers from this hike Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Wild Hydrangea(Hydrangea arborescens) just about to bloom Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) Maple-Leaf Viburnum(Viburnum acerifolium) Vasey's Trillium (Trillium vaseyi) False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) Lots of gnarly deadfall along the sides of the trial. Interesting wood pattern. Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) May-Apple (Podophyllum peltatum) - Look closely for "apple: forming Catesby's Trillium(Trillium catesbaei) - Perhaps faded from pink to while Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) Annual Honesty (Lunaria annua) perhaps? We saw lots of this, but no blooms Canada violet (Viola canadensis) Clintonia, white (Clintonia umbellulata) - most of bloom now gone Clintonia, white (Clintonia umbellulata) Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) Not much of the bloom left Canada violet (Viola canadensis) Ground Pine (Lycopodium clavatum Fire Pink(Silene virginica) Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) -Terrible photo! Four-leaf Milkweed(Asclepias quadrifolia) More Fire Pink(Silene virginica) Galax (Galax aphylla) Chattahoochee Headwaters Seekers - Left center is the starting source One of the easier sections of our rocky trail Indian Physic : Bowman's Root (Gillenia trifoliata) Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) - Late bloomer! Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) perhaps?? Squaw Root (Conopholis americana) One of the few views through the canopy along this trail Chattahoochee Headwaters - Yep, this is where it starts! Fungus of the hike Cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare) Stargrass, yellow (Hypoxis hirsuta)