Is there anywhere to stop (pick up point for vehicle) on the Georgia NC line. If not how far is it to the next stopping point in NC.
SmokeEater
Pick up Point along the trail
system
#3
SmokeEater,
The place to find this sort of thing is on the Appalachian Trail Parking, Access and Pictures site run by Cyndi and David Rohland. They are wonderful folks and do a great service to the AT community by keeping this database. If you or anyone else has good pictures (especially of parking areas, campsites, signs and other good trail features, but they take scenic pictures too) or info please send it in and help them out. This is a labor of love and they can use our support.
For the Bly Gap access problem, Mango is right: there’s no access of any kind at Bly Gap and Deep Gap is your best choice. You could pull out 8.8 miles short of the state line at Dick’s Creek Gap or 3.2 short at Blue Ridge Gap (using USFS72, but this is listed as needing a 4-wheel drive on the Rohland’s site.) Here’s their listing for Deep Gap:
“Reached via highway US64 and Forest Service 71. From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 13.6 miles (from overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71. Turn is just past top of hill with Clay County sign. From West, follow US64 East past Hayesville, NC, make long climb up mountain, and near top of second climb, watch for sign for FS71 on right. FS71 is a 6-mile single-lane gravel road, normally quite passable for autos. Note that this road is closed during the Winter – usually between Jan. 1st and March 15th. Follow FS71 to parking area at end; the AT crosses through this parking area. To go South on AT, head West out of parking area – to go North, head East. 2/4/06”
Hope this helps, good hiking!
Strategic