Big Stamp Gap usfs road 42

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#1

I’m looking at a March departure date for a north bound thru hike. I’ve read that you can drive (normal vehicles) on USFS Road 42 to about the mile mark. Does anyone know if this is true? Is mid-march too early for the road to be open? Any help is much appreciated.

JMarenghi

#2

Hacksaw has been taking people up there all this winter, so I know its open. As for the condition of the road, well I cant say. Look up other posts here for Hacksaws phone number and ask him. He does shuttles to Springer Mt.

Here is his phone number:

Phone (706) 579-2400 (NO phone calls after 9 pm eastern, please)

Good Luck,

Jim Deane, Rebel with a Cause !!

Jim Deane

#3

I was dropped off there on March 1st by my friends in of all things an old Dodge car. It managed to get the three of us up there through the dirt roads and to finally get me up to the parking lot.

We navigated deep ruts in the dirt road, fallen branches, steep inclines, getting lost, and finally, finding the parking lot.

Now, that was a miracle. Doing the thru-hike after I was dropped off seemed like less of a challenge so to speak.

This upcoming section hike, I am going to do the approach trail.

Mr. Boo

#4

We drove up for New Years weekend. Except for one down tree which only block a quater of the road it was open and clear. Very rocky. The parking lot is about 6 miles up on your left. Seems longer because you have to drive slow. HH

hamockhngr

#5

I was up there today and although there were some snowy spots the road was no problem for my brother’s 97 Toyota Corolla. It is kind of rough and rocky in places, but it is a very stable roadbed that rarely washes out and is so well travelled that blowdowns are usually cleared within a day. You can drive easily from Doublehead Gap Road on the West end of FS 42 the 6 1/2 miles to the (not really, but that’s what they call it) Big Stamp Gap parking lot at the AT crossing and then on another 12 miles or so to the East end of FS 42 at GA 60 about one mile east of Suches and one mile west of Woody Gap.

I guess because I’ve been using these roads for so many years they seem simple and easy to me, but if you aren’t used to driving curvy hilly mountain dirt roads I suppose they could be intimidating. Very accessable and easy to drive in all but the most wet and/or icy or snowy times.

Hacksaw

Hacksaw

#6

I was able to acess this feb 12 1999 and the roads were dry and clear.

Wyoming Skateboarder