Day 3 [Georgia: Mile 17.2 - Mile 27.8] Gooch Gap -> Woods Hole Shelter
Date: February 15, 2025 (Saturday)
Total Distance: 10.6 miles
The night before, I set up the shuttle service with Ron (706) 669-0919 to pick us up at 3 Forks in the morning and send us to Gooch Gap, so we can hike back to 3 Forks. But from Ron we learned that the norm for the day hike is parking your car in the destination in the morning, and shuttle will drop you off at the starting point to hike to the destination.
Mile 4.3 - Mile 8.6: 3 Forks -> Hightower Gap
While we were waiting for Ron in the car in the morning, from the back-viewing mirror of my left side window, I saw a black bear crossing the road. It happened so quick that left no time for me to take a photo. We also witnessed three Turkeys crossing as well on the way to 3 Forks in the morning. That’s all the wildlife we have identified throughout the day. Hightower Gap is accessible by cars, so shuttle service is available for this stop.
We passed:
Mile 6.2 Hickory Flats - a big lawn on the right next to the AT trail - which I believe used to be Hickory Flats School.
Mile 7.4 Hawk Mtn Campsite, by hiking a short distance left from AT
Mile 8.1 Hawk Mtn Shelter
