January 5 AT Series: Three Forks to Springer
This is a beautiful 10 mile loop hike to Springer Mountain and Three Forks that combines the first sections of the AT and Benton MacKaye Trails.

January 6 Arkaquah Trail Dayhike
This 7.5 mile strenuous hike begins at Track Rock Gap and climbs 2,100 feet in elevation following the ridgeline to Brasstown Bald visitor’s parking lot before heading down to Jack’s Gap.

January 5-6 Nantahala’s Backpack
We will hike somewhere cold and high on the AT in the Nantahala’s. Maybe we can find some snow!

January 8 GATC Board Meeting

January 12 Bushy Head Gap to Dyer Gap
You will definitely have a weary body after this moderate to strenuous hike of 13 miles on a section of the Benton MacKaye Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness.

January 13 Stanley Gap/Green Mountain
This is a moderately strenuous 8 mile hike with vista views of Lake Blue Ridge in the Rich Mountain Wilderness.

January 12-13 Pine Mountain Backpack
Join us for an overnight “slack pack: on a section of the 22 mile Pine Mountain Trail near Calloway Gardens in Georgia. We will be able to place our backpacks in a convenient location to retrieve later for our night on the trail.

January 16 Len Foote Hike Inn
This is a moderate hike up to the Len Foote Inn and return at a great time of the year. Lunch will be inside the warm lodge.

January 19 Trail Maintenance

January 20 Gahuti Trail
This is an 8.2 mile loop hike in the beautiful Cohutta Mountains. We will begin and end at Fort Mountain State Park. There will be beautiful, scenic views with lunch at a waterfall.

January 26 Coosa Bald Day Hike
This is a strenuous 12.9 mile loop trail around Vogel State Park. Good weather will offer outstanding views.

January 27 In Town Series: Vickery Creek
The Vickery Trail system complex has over 6 miles of trails that includes the remains of the old Roswell mill, the “Roswell” waterfall, and a wooden covered bridge over Vickery Creek.

January 26-27 GATC Challenge Series: Tallulah River To Beech Gap Trail
This approximately 20 mile trek will start at the Tallulah River with a bushwhack to Bly Gap. From There,we’ll head north on the AT past Standing Indian and continue on to Beech Gap. From there, we’ll drop off the ridge to find the Beech Gap Trail.

January 30 Cold Weather Seminar
This seminar will prepare you to take on winter backpacking. You will be able to practice what you learn on the backpack the following weekend.

February 2 Lookout Mountain Dayhike
We will hike the famous bluff trail, starting in the valley and ascending Lookout Mountain by way of Skyuka Springs and the John Smart Trail to the intersection with the Bluff Trail near Covenant Collage. We will climb to the top of Sunset Rock for a great view.

February 3 Naked Tree Hike
A forester from the USFS will teach us how to identify trees without leaves, and also teach us where and why they grow.

February 2-3 GATC Challenge Series: Benton MacKaye/Citico Creek
We will start hiking at Farr Gap and hike south to Cherry Log on the Benton MacKaye Trail and hike out on the North Fork Citico Trail.

February 2-3 Cold Weather Backpack
A winter weekend outing somewhere cold designed to help you practice staying warm and teaching you to love winter backpacking. A prerequisite is a Wednesday evening in-town seminar preparing you to take on winter backpacking.

February 6 Trail Maintenance

February 9 In Town Series: Family Hike-Yellow River Game Park
The Yellow River Game Ranch provides a great way to have some outside time with the younger members of your family. There is a one mile walking path, a petting zoo, and places to picnic. We expect this outing to be a fun way for families to spend the day.

February 10 Georgia Pinhoti Dayhike: Section 10
This hike on Section 10 of the Georgia Pinhoti trail will include both a waterfall and good ridge top views as we hike on John’s Mountain.

February 9-10 Tray Gap to Dicks Creek Gap
Starting at Tray Gap, we will cross Tray Mountain at 4,430 feet and then travel the scenic ridge tops hovering around 3,600 feet to Deep Gap Shelter on Saturday night. We’ll exit via US 76 at Dicks Creek Gap on Sunday. There are lots of great views along the way.

February 16 Trail Maintenance

February 17 Woody Gap to Lake Winfield Scott
This 6.3 mile hike covers a portion of one of the most popular stretches of the AT for 5.3 miles, including one of the arguably best view sheds on the AT - Preaching Rock. We will then go down a side trail to end the hike at beautiful Lake Winfield Scott.

February 23 GATC Challenge Series: Run for the Border
This annual 17.6 mile Run for the border takes us from Dick’s Creek Gap to Bly Gap in North Carolina and back. If you haven’t been along before, come this year. It’s bound to be frosty, fast paced, but lots of fun.

February 24 Georgia Pinhoti Dayhike: Section 12
This hike covers a portion of Section 12 of the Georgia Pinhoti Trail near Dalton. Ridge top hiking with fine winter views are promised.

February 23-24 Big Frog Backpack
Located in the Northern End of the Cohuttas, on the Tennessee Valley Divide, Big Frog is the highest point in the Cohuttas.

March 1 BMT: Three Forks to GA 60
This is a beautiful section of the Benton MacKaye Trail. Its main features include Long Creek Falls, the Toccoa River suspension bridge, and a long section of newly relocated trail.

March 2 Cowrock Mountain Bushwhack
This short loop hike will start at Tesnatee Gap and follow the AT before descending 1,000 feet to Town Creek and the Logan Turnpike Trail.

March 1-2 Dugger Mountain Backpack
Journey onto a mountain that is the oldest wilderness preserve set aside in the state of Alabama. Dugger Mountain, named after Civil War veteran J. Taylor Dugger, is the second highest mountain in Alabama with an incredible view seen from the fire tower.

March 8 Beech Creek Trail
This strenuous loop hike begins and ends on Tallulah River Road, just north of Tate City in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. The hike will offer views of Standing Indian and include side trips to Chimney Rock, High Falls, and Bull Cove Falls.

March 9 Blood Mountain Loop Dayhike
The views from the top of Blood Mountain should be spectacular. This loop will also include hiking the Freeman Trail, which runs along the ridge underneath Blood. Get ready for a terrific workout!

March 8-9 Okefenokee Canoe Trip
Join us as we paddle across America’s great remaining swamp. On watery trails, we will glide past friendly alligators, hungry carnivorous plants, and camp on platform shelters.

March 11 GATC Board Meeting

March 12 Suwanee Creek Greenway
Come join us for a 4 mile hike that is on a multi-purpose trail. It meanders through woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife habitat in downtown Suwanee. We will have lunch at a nearby restaurant.

March 15 Trail Maintenance

March 16 Unicoi to Andrews Cove Dayhike
From Unicoi Gap, we go north on the AT over Rocky Mountain, down to Indian Grave Gap, then down again on the Andrews Cove Trail. Total distance is approximately 4.5 miles.

March 22 In Town Series: Red Top Mountain
A leisurely six mile hike on the Homestead Trail will take us along the shores of Lake Allatoona and through some of the most beautiful areas of the park.

March 23 AT Series: Blue Ridge Gap to Dicks Creek Gap
Yes, you read it right. It is North to South this year. Instead of Fall colors we will be looking for early spring colors in the form of wildflowers.

March 22-23 GATC Challenge Series: Tusquitees Backpack
We will backpack on the Fires Creek Rim Trail in North Carolina. This trail was built prior to the more modern switchback technology.

March 26 Prospective Member Orientation
This seminar is designed to acquaint the prospective member with the workings of the GATC - its organization and mission.

March 29 Stone Mountain Dayhike
The 6.2 mile Cherokee Trail goes around the base of Stone Mountain. For those more adventurous, there will be an optional hike up the mountain as well.

March 30 Pine Mountain Dayhike
This 14 mile hike begins at the Country Store near Callaway Gardens and ends at Dowdell’s Knob, FDR’s favorite picnic spot and an overlook of the surrounding countryside. There should be some good wildflower viewing at this time of year.

March 29-30 Panthertown Valley Backpack
This fragile and biologically significant area is magnificent. Several mountain streams bordered by white sand beaches run throughout the Valley. We will visit manly of the spectacular waterfalls.

April 2 Trail Maintenance

April 5 AT Series: Dicks Creek to Tray Mountain
Join us for this 12 mile hike that includes Tray Mountain and Kelly Knob. We should have some terrific views.

April 6 Chattahoochee River Bushwhack
This is a wild and beautiful area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. We will visit the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River and follow its drainage by Horse Trough Falls to the Chattahoochee River Campground.

April 5-6 Savage Gulf Backpack
Join us for our annual spring outing to Tennessee. Once again, we will split into two groups, an easy trip along the rim and a hard trip through the gorge, both ending at Hobbs Cabin.

April 12 GATC Challenge Series: Marathon Hike
Come challenge yourself! See how far you can hike on this GATC traditional marathon!

April 13 Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve
We will explore trails that go around a lake, through woods, and across granite. We will climb Bradley and
Arabia peaks (elevations 954’ and 940’) and see the granite “in bloom” with diamorpha.

April 19 Trail Maintenance

April 20 Three Waterfalls Hike
Join us on this leisurely hike to three South Carolina waterfalls, Long Creek Falls on the Chattooga River, Yellow Branch Falls, and Issaqueena Falls.

April 24 Beginning Backpack Seminar
Learn the ins and outs of backpacking equipment and techniques. This seminar is a requirement for the May beginning backpack.

April 26 Spring Picnic
Get together with friends, old and new, at the GATC spring picnic. We’ll share good food and conversation as we enjoy the spring weather and maybe sneak in a short hike or some on-site recreation.

April 27 Wildflower Dayhike
We will choose the best trail in the North Georgia mountains for spring wildflowers and take a slow pace to ensure we find as many species as possible with all eyes looking.

April 26-27 Smokies Backpack
From the AT’s highest point, Clingman’s Dome, we’ll hike to Siler’s Bald, drop down Welch Ridge and return up Forney Creek, losing and then regaining over 4,000 feet.

May 3 GATC Challenge Series: Table Rock Dayhike
Enjoy this 7-mile hike on the Foothills Trail with spectacular views from one of the highest points in South Carolina.

May 4 Pinhoti Trail Dayhike
Come see the great view from the top of John’s Mountain, then hike about 7 miles back to East Armuchee Road. It is one of the best non-AT hikes.

May 3-4 Cohutta Wilderness Backpack
Our destination will be the Cohutta Jack’s River Falls - a wondrous journey in May. Spring blooms, gentle temperatures, and a waterfall. What could be better? We’ll pick a route that will be about 8 miles in and 8 miles out.

May 10 Family Dayhike: Sawnee Mountain
Bring the whole family and enjoy a visit to Sawnee nature preserve near Cumming, GA. We’ll take a walk on a very well built nature trail to the Indian Seats Overlook on top of Sawnee Mountain. The view from this vantage point is spectacular.

May 11 Arabia Mountain Bike Hike
This is a 24-mile round trip paved PATH Foundation bike trail that winds through woods, pasture land, over some open rock, some wetlands and some streams. The trail is mostly flat with a few long but gentle inclines.

May 10-11 Beginning Backpack
Use your newly acquired skills on a delightful spring backpack. In addition to leveraging the information learned at the recent seminar, we will be enjoying the wildflowers surrounding us. Participation in the Beginner’s Backpack Seminar is a prerequisite for participation in this event.

May 10-11 Standing Indian-Case Knife Gap Backpack
We will be traveling the 12-mile Beech Creek – Chimney Rock Loop. The trail follows the valley along the creek and passes High Falls. We will camp at Case Knife Gap, where there is a good view, and return along the Chimney Rock Trail to our cars.

May 13 GATC Board Meeting

May 14 Mid-Week Dayhike: Thompson Mill Forest
We’ll tour the official Georgia State Arboretum that contains 90% of all the native Ga. trees. It also has a Pinetum, Granite rock outcrops, and several miles of trails.

May 17 Trail Maintenance

May 18 BMT: Wilscott Gap to Shallowford Bridge Dayhike
This is a moderate 7-mile hike over Tipton, Brawley and Garland Mountains. We’ll eat lunch at the fire tower on top of Brawley, then descend and walk next to the Toccoa River to Shallowford Bridge.

May 24 AT Series: Tray Mountain to Unicoi Gap
This challenging hike offers fantastic views from Rocky Mountain and Tray Mountain, the second highest peak on the A.T. in Georgia. From Tray, we’ll view Brasstown Bald and Mt. Yonah.

May 25 Historic Atlanta: Oakland Cemetery
Historic Oakland Cemetery is one of Atlanta’s hidden Victorian gems. Come join us in this walk through history. This hike is open to all ages with a professional tour guide. This is always a club favorite.

May 24-26 Max Patch/Hot Springs Backpack
We will spend this Memorial Day hiking from Max Patch to Hot Springs on the AT in North Carolina.

May 24-26 Memorial Day Car Camp at Le Conte
Come join us on this Memorial Day week-end event. We will camp near Gatlinburg, Tennessee on Friday night. Then hit Rainbow Falls Trail early to the top of Mt. LeConte then down to Bullhead Trail.

May 31 Ravens Cliff/Dukes Creek Falls Dayhike
The Raven Cliff Falls begins by following the Dodd Creek before starting a gentle climb to the top of the falls. The area is rich in wildflowers, ferns, mountain laurel and rhododendrons. We will also visit the spectacular Dukes Creek Waterfalls.

June 1 Mullins Cove Loop
This 10 mile loop hike is located in the Prentice Cooper State Forest near Chattanooga, TN. There are great overlooks of the Tennessee River. We’ll also have fun rock hopping for close to a mile at the beginning of the hike!

June 4 Trail Maintenance

June 7 National Trails Day
Join us for this annual event that includes hiking, trail work and educational programs.

June 8 In-Town Series: Botanical Gardens of Athens
Encompassing over 300 acres bordering the Middle Oconee River, the Botanical Gardens of Georgia contain specialty gardens and a tropical conservatory. We’ll explore the more than five miles of nature trails that traverse the natural area of the garden.

June 8 AT Series: Unicoi Gap to Jack’s Gap
We’ll begin this 6.5 mile hike with a 1000 foot climb from Unicoi Gap to Blue Mountain Shelter. After checking out the source of the “Hooch” at Chattahoochee Gap, we’ll take Jack’s Gap Trail to Jack’s Gap.

June 14 GATC Challenge Hike: Blood Mountain Loop
A moderate, all day hike up Jarrard Gap Trail and to the highest point on the AT in Georgia. Experience the new AT re-route, Konnarock built stone steps, and return on the Slaughter Creek Trail.

June 14 Easy Lake Kayak
Come learn how to paddle a flat-bottomed kayak on a quiet lake. Prepare for river trips!

June 15 Pine Mountain Dayhike
Join us on one of the best hikes in central Georgia! We’ll travel on the Wolfden Loop. Along the way, we’ll see some amazing waterfalls, as well as a really good view of Dowdell’s Knob.

June 14-15 BMT Section 2 Backpack
This is a favorite summer backpack! We will hike 8 miles of the BMT this first day and camp by the Toccoa River at the suspension bridge. Sunday is an easy hike back to our cars.

June 21 Trail Maintenance

June 22 Chestnut Lead Trail
This easy to moderate hike in and out is 3 1/2 miles in the Cohutta Wilderness. We should see a variety of flora including bracken fern, sassafras, tuliptree, hemlock, yellow buckeye and black cherry. The Rosebay rhododendron should be in bloom along the trail.

June 28 BMT: Hwy 60 to Wilscott Gap
Join us on this fairly strenuous section of the BMT in Georgia.

June 29 Coosa Backcountry Trail
This 12.7 mile route hike follows the Coosa Backcountry Trail and completes a loop hike that starts and ends at Vogel State Park and runs through the Blood Mountain wilderness area. It is a very challenging hike due to frequent ascents and descents.

June 28-29 Smokies: Gregory Bald Backpack
A 15 mile loop hike in the Smoky Mountains National park from Twentymile Ranger Station. We will enjoy the unique experience of Gregory Bald with the native azaleas in full bloom!

July 4-6 Roan Mountain Backpack
Celebrate the 4th of July on this gorgeous section of the AT in Tennessee. Hopefully, the rhododendrons will be in bloom.

July 5 Conasauga River Dayhike (Three Forks to Betty Gap)
This 11 mile trail in the Cohuttas makes 18 refreshing river crossings before climbing away from the river. It ends at some record setting Hemlocks at Betty Gap.

July 6 Lake Winfield Scott
Come join us for a moderate 7-mile loop dayhike in the middle of the summer. We will start at Lake Winfield Scott, take the Slaughter Creek trail up to the AT, and on to Blood Mountain.

July 8 GATC Board Meeting

July 12 AT Series: Chattahoochee to Hog Pen Gap
We’ll visit the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River on this AT series hike and walk down the Jack’s Knob Trail to end our hike.

July 13 BMT: Highway 60 to Toccoa River
Join me on this good workout over Toonowee Mountain and a couple of other ridges to the beautiful suspension bridge over the Toccoa River, where we’ll enjoy lunch and foot dipping; if you like.

July 12-13 Cohutta Wilderness
Join us on a backpacking trip that will take us up the highest point in the Big Frog Wilderness, Big Frog Mountain! At a towering 4,240 feet, Big Frog Mountain (so named because it apparently looks like a frog in profile) will be but one point on our destination.

July 16 Ana Ruby Falls
If you enjoy hiking, breathtaking views, and the sound of thundering waterfalls all tied in with exquisite natural and cultural history, then Anna Ruby Falls is the place for you. This 9 mile hike will be a round trip from Unicoi to the Falls and back.

July 19 Trail Maintenance

July 20 Woody Gap to Dockery Lake
This 6.5 mile hike covers a portion of one of the most popular stretches of the AT for 3.5 miles, including arguably one of the best views on the AT (Preaching Rock). The walk from Miller Gap to Dockery Lake affords varied trees and a beautiful creek.

July 26 Jack’s River Dayhike (Rice Camp to Horseshoe Bend)
This 9.5 mile hike makes a gradual climb to the Horseshoe Bend overlook in the Cohuttas and then down to the Jack’s River where we will enjoy 12 cool river crossings.

July 27 In-Town Series: Vickery Creek
The Vickery Trail system complex has over 6 miles of trails that includes the remains of the old Roswell mill, the “Roswell” waterfall, and a wooden covered bridge over Vickery Creek.

July 26-27 Slickrock Creek/Big Fat Gap
Come explore the Slickrock Creek area. We will camp at Big Fat Gap and dayhike out to a great waterfall and swimming hole.

August 2 Beginning River Kayak
Enjoy this seven mile float! We will take a swim from a cool rock in the middle of the river, eat our “trail lunch” on a secluded sandy beach, and paddle pat some fun Class 1’s. Patrick has the boats and will help to guide the group.

August 3 Tallulah Gorge
Join us for a few short hikes on the Rim, as well as great overlooks of the Gorge as we go up and down many stairs. Our final destination will be Sliding Rock, where you can play and slide down in the water.

August 2-3 Cheaha State Park, AL
A 14 mile loop backpack using the Cave Creek, Odum Scout, and Pinhoti trails. This is a moderate trail with nice mountain overlooks and rock gardens. We will visit the highest point in Alabama, Cheaha Mountain.

August 6 Trail Maintenance

August 9 Conasauga River
This eight mile hike in the Cohuttas starts at the Tearbritches Trail and goes down to the Conasauga River. Plan on getting your feet wet as we will crisscross the river on our way upstream to the cars.

August 10 In Town Series: Gold Branch
Gold Branch is truly a gem of a park - a remote trail following the rolling hills along the Chattahoochee River located in busy East Cobb County.

Aug. 10 AT Series: Hogpen to Neel’s Gap
This hike includes Wildcat Mountain, Tesnatee Gap, Cowrock, and Levelland Mountain

August 9-10 Cohuttas: Rough Ridge
If you’re looking for a workout, join us on the Rough Ridge Backpack in the Cohuttas, the largest wilderness area east of the mighty Mississippi! As we’ll be in the heart of summer, there will be plenty of stream crossings on our way back to keep us cool.

August 13 Prospective Member Orientation
This seminar is designed to acquaint the prospective member with the workings of the GATC - its organization and mission.

August 16 Trail Maintenance

August 17 Albert Mountain Dayhike
The high Nantahala’s will offer a cool escape from the summer heat as we hike up the fire tower at the top of Albert Mountain. We will soak in the awesome view as we lunch on the overlook of the fire tower.

August 23 Ravens Cliffs
The Raven Cliffs Wilderness is a perfect destination for a hot August day. The deep shade along Dodd Creek combined with the cooling breezes from three waterfalls provides a nice break from the heat.

August 23-24 Stecoah To Wesser -Nantahala’s
This is a good backpack on the AT in North Carolina. We will camp on Cheoha Bald.

August 30 Intermediate River Kayak
Enjoy this 9 mile float! My kayaks do NOT roll over! Some Class 2’s and easy Class 1’s are on this section. This is not too hard and we’ll make it fun!

August 31 Cohutta’s - Panther Creek
This is an easy-to-moderate 11 mile dayhike starting at the Three Forks Mountain. We shall tumble down the Panther Creek Trail coming to rest in the Conasauga River. We shall progress smartly upstream and after approximately 18 river fords.

August 30-1 Sipsey Wilderness Backpack-Labor Day
Find a stream, any of hundreds, follow it as it seeps and trickles along. Soon you will find yourself in a hollow filled with ancient yellow pine, eastern hemlock, and cucumber magnolia. Descend the hollow until it becomes a canyon, narrow and shallow.

September 6 Bushy Head Gap to Dyer Gap
Come stretch your legs on this moderate to strenuous hike of 13 miles. We will climb up and around Bear Den, Fowler, and Flat Top Mountain.

September 7 Brawley Mountain Loop
We begin at Wilscot Gap on GA Hwy 60 near Morganton. We will ascend Tipton Mountain, skirt Bald Top and descend to Ledford Gap. From there, we will climb Brawley Mtn to the abandoned fire tower.

September 6-7 Lower Jacks River
Water levels and temperatures on the Jack’s River in late summer usually allow easier fords below the falls than other times of the year. We will do an in and out route from the confluence of the Jack’s and Conasauga Rivers.

September 9 GATC Board Meeting

September 13 AT Series: Neels Gap to Woody
There will be great views on this 11 mile moderate hike that includes Blood Mountain, the highest point on the AT in Georgia.

September 13-14 BMT: Childers Creek to Unicoi Gap
This is a beautiful 16 mile section of the Benton MacKaye Trail in TN on the Cherokee “Trail of Tears”. It follows the John Muir Trail along the Hiwassee River for 6 miles then heads up the Unicoi Mountain trail to Unicoi Gap.

September 14 Black Rock Mountain
This moderate 9.4 dayhike combines two popular trails in the Black Rock Mountain State park. It includes a panoramic view of the valley just north of Clayton, a Tennessee Rock overlook, and a small cascade.

September 17 In-Town Series: Elachee Nature Center
Join us on a fairly easy 3 to 5 mile hike in the beautiful area of streams, small ridges and interesting vegetation near Gainesville. Take time to visit the educational exhibits in the nature center itself.

September 20 Trail Maintenance

September 21 Cloudland Canyon Rim
We will explore one of Georgia’s largest and most scenic state parks and enjoy such highlights as a walk to the canyon floor and a visit to some great waterfalls.

September 27 Chattooga River Trail
Experience the wildness of northeast Georgia starting near Sandy Plains Road to Russell Bridge on GA 28. This 9.8 mile section is within the boundaries of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.

September 28 Rabun Bald
At 4,696 feet high, Rabun Bald is Georgia’s second highest peak. The views from the restored fire tower on top go all the way to the Smokies. This is a short hike with long views.

September 27-28 GATC Challenge Series: Middle Prong Backpack
Come with us as we explore Shining Rock’s smaller, but much wilder little sister. The trails are vague and challenging.

October 1 Trail Maintenance

October 4 Three Forks Trail
An easy to moderate trail through oak and hickory forest with rhododendron and mountain laurel to the confluence of three creeks that form the west fork of the Chattooga River.

October 5 Downtown Atlanta Hike
An in-town dayhike through downtown Atlanta, with visits to the Capitol Building, Centennial park, and the Margaret Mitchell House.

October 4-5 Smokies Backpack: Deep Creek and Nolan Divide Trails
This will be a loop. We will be hiking out of Deep Creek campground on the Nolan Divide Trail that will be a great ridge walk. We will use the Pole Road Creek Trail to connect us to the Deep Creek Trail that leads back to the campground.

October 11 Business Meeting

October 11 Prospective Member Orientation
This seminar is designed to acquaint the prospective member with the workings of the GATC - its organization and mission.

October 12 Chunky Gal Dayhike
This 13 mile hike will start at Glade Gap and go all the way to the base of Tusquitee Bald at Bob Alison Campground.

October 14 Full Moon Hike at Stone Mountain
There is nothing like a moonlight stroll in the crisp fall air. This will be a revival of an old tradition, so I’ve been told. Join us at dusk for an evening hike at Stone Mountain. The calendar calls for a full moon on this date.

October 18 Trail Maintenance

October 19 GATC Challenge Hike: Holden Cove
This will be a loop hike leaving from the Tallulah River and going up Holden Cove to Whiteoak Stamp following the AT over Standing Indian and returning on the Beech Creek Trail.

October 25 AT Series: Woody to Hightower
This 12-mile hike on the A.T. goes around and over several mountains providing out standings views. It also crosses Justus and Blackwell Creeks.

October 26 Fall Color Dayhike
This autumn, we return to a favorite fall color dayhike, and it’s just over ten miles. We begin on the highest point of the day, Wayah Bald, wind down to Wayah Gap, make the midday climb to that overwhelming 360 degree view from 5,216 foot Siler Bald.

October 25-26 Halloween Backpack
This year, we are hiking the AT from Dicks Creek Gap to Deep Gap and finishing on the Kimsey Creek Trail.

November 1 Pot Point Loop Trail
Join us for a 12 mile hike in the Prentice Cooper State Forest area above the Tennessee River, just north of Chattanooga, TN.

November 2 Silver Comet Bike Ride
Join us for a bike ride into the past as we travel along an old train line over trestles and through tunnels and trees.

November 1-2 BMT (TN) Unicoi Gap to the Tellico River
This is a beautiful 23 mile section of the BMT in TN. It passes through the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study area.

November 8 Bear Hair Trail
This is a moderate steady climb in Vogel State Park with a breathtaking 3,280 foot overlook of Lake Trahlya and the surrounding mountains.

November 9 Pickens Nose Bushwhack
Named after the Revolutionary War soldier, General Andrew Pickens, Pickens Nose is a sloping multi-level granite outcrop in the Standing Indian area and a great place to bushwhack. The name isn’t pretty, but the view of Betty Creek Valley sure is.

November 8-9 Cohutta Wilderness
Wanted: a great backpack without a lot of pain. We will hike down the Hickory Creek Trail to the Conasauga River Trail to Bray Field where we will set up our base camp. From here, we can explore Panther Creek Falls without heavy packs.

November 11 GATC Board Meeting

November 12 Kennesaw Mountain
This is a great opportunity to get out in the woods in the cold to see some history, enjoy warm fellowship, and get ready for Thanksgiving. The park is a great place for a day hike. We will start at the Visitors Center and do a loop hike with no shuttle.

November 15 Trail Maintenance

November 16 Gahuti Trail
Burn off some of the Thanksgiving calories on this 8 mile hike in the Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth, GA. The trail winds along ravines, ridges, and skirts the Fort and Cohutta Mountains.

November 22 Raven and Duke Creek Falls
Join us on an easy, scenic, and no-shuttle hike to two waterfalls near Cleveland. We will begin by hiking to Dukes Creek Falls where Dodds and Davis Creeks join and create breathtaking scenery and sound. From there, we will drive a short distance to a second waterfall.

November 23 Flat Creek/Stanley Gap Loop Trail
This 6 mile loop is easy to moderate in the Rich Mountain area of Blue Ridge.

November 28-30 Thanksgiving Backpack
This long weekend provides an opportunity to travel to the Smokies for an extended backpack on some of our favorite trails. We’ll combine ridges and creek drainages for some varied scenery.

November 30 AT Series: Hightower to Springer
Please join us and experience the beginning of the enduring journey of the AT thru hikers where they start their quest to Maine. The views and vistas are great this time of the year. Time allowing, we might even sneak a peek at the new Stover Creek shelter.

December 6 Holiday Party

December 7 Lake Winfield Scott
This is one of the nicest day hikes in the state, with a mountain lake, moderately challenging terrain, and some vistas from the highest point on the AT in Georgia.

December 13 Jack’s Gap to Young Harris
Want a nice break from your busy holiday schedule? Join us on this moderate hike from Jack’s Gap to Young Harris. Pretty streams and early winter views are guaranteed.

December 14 Sweetwater Creek State Park
The trail leads along the scenic Sweetwater Creek, past the historic factory ruins and through the hills and coves surrounding the area.

December 13-14 Joyce Kilmer Wilderness Area Backpack
A 15 mile loop backpack using parts of the Stratton Bald, Haoe Lead, Hangover, and Jenkins Meadows trails.A strenuous climb is rewarded by beautiful forest, grand winter views, and rock outcrop overlooks.

December 20 Trail Maintenance

December 21 AT Series: Springer to Amicalola
We will finish the GATC’s first ever (or at least in a while) southbound AT series with this 8.8 mile hike from Springer Mountain to Amicalola Falls via the Approach Trail. At this time of year, we should have some good views and maybe even see some snow.

December 26-29 Cumberland Island Backpack
Avoid the hectic holiday season on a glorious island on the south Georgia cost where the horses run free and raccoons do their best to invite themselves to dinner.

December 27 Bartram Trail
Warwoman Dell to Courthouse Gap on the Bartram Trail near Clayton, GA. This seven mile hike past two waterfalls and a short steep side trail up to Pinnacle Knob overlooking Clayton.

December 28 Standing Indian
A moderate walk to visit an old favorite - Standing Indian. This loop hike using the Kimsey Creek, AT, and Lower Ridge trails will cover about 10 miles. Just long enough to burn off some holiday excesses but short enough to get home before dark.

December 27-28 GATC Challenge Series: Shining Rock Wilderness
This will be a loop hike into the Shining Rock Wilderness starting on the Big East Fork Trail and exploring the area. We will return on the Shining Creek Trail.