Phil
Dazed & Confused Runner
Posts: 29
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Post by Phil on Feb 28, 2006 13:06:01 GMT -5
What are some of the more runnable sections of the AT? Is there a good section where you can put together 20 or more miles without being forced to a walk due to steep inclines, rocks/roots, etc.? Thanks. -- Phil Margolies (not a hiker
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Post by janice on Feb 28, 2006 15:02:17 GMT -5
One of the more gentle sections is Hogpen to Unicoi. But even that has some steep hills and a rocky section near Unicoi. But a lot of it is on an old logging road so it's semi-easy.
I guess the section from Woody's south to Springer is not too bad either. Only 1 or 2 mountains to climb. You could always come back via the dirt roads. Janice
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Phil
Dazed & Confused Runner
Posts: 29
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Post by Phil on Mar 2, 2006 9:41:47 GMT -5
Are there any decent maps or books available? Please keep in mind that this is from someone who briefly got lost on the SCUR! -- Phil
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Post by janice on Mar 2, 2006 17:08:25 GMT -5
Lost at SCUR? That's kind of scary.
I really like the AT guides they sell at REI. There is one for each state it crosses through, although a few are combined. The guides have detail books on the trail and maps. I think you can also order them on-line. They come in handy seal-able plastic bags.
The AT is blazed well in most sections, you just gotta look up, which can be hard sometimes. Janice
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Phil
Dazed & Confused Runner
Posts: 29
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Post by Phil on Mar 2, 2006 18:16:39 GMT -5
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Phil
Dazed & Confused Runner
Posts: 29
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Post by Phil on Mar 4, 2006 13:28:09 GMT -5
Janice, thanks for the tips. I received the maps and guide book. It looks like Hogpen Gap is about a 70 mile drive from my home in Lawrenceville. According to the AT map, Hogpen Gap to Unicoi gap is 13.6 miles. So I could imagine doing that as point-to-point or a nice 26-mile out-and-back. Since I'm familiar with the trails at Kennesaw Mountain, how would you compare those trails to Hogpen-Unicoi? From what little I know, it seems like the climbs may be somewhat more difficult and the trail is more rocky on the AT. At Kennesaw I can do just fine wearing my regular road running shoes. I have a pair of Leona Divides. Would those be more suitable for this portion of the AT? -- Phil Lost at SCUR? That's kind of scary. I really like the AT guides they sell at REI. There is one for each state it crosses through, although a few are combined. The guides have detail books on the trail and maps. I think you can also order them on-line. They come in handy seal-able plastic bags. The AT is blazed well in most sections, you just gotta look up, which can be hard sometimes. Janice
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Post by janice on Mar 5, 2006 13:24:25 GMT -5
I would wear the Leones up there.
If you start at Hogpen and head towards Unicoi, the first 10+ miles are relatively smooth trail - in part an old wagon road. There are a couple of climbs, worse than average at Kennesaw, but not as bad or as long as running up Kennesaw Mtn.
The last 4 miles to Unicoi has some "rock beds". These sections have lots of rocks, but once you get past them, it is back to normal. There are a couple of climbs in this section as well. And a BIG decent down to Unicoi Gap.
One REALLY nice side trail is Jacks Knob Trail that diverts over at Chattahoochee gap (10 miles from Hogpen and where the famous river "starts"). It is about 3 miles on trail to the base of Brasstown Bald. Then it is about 4 miles up to the top on trail. A very nice run.
Have fun if you go. As soon as I am uninjured I plan to go up there again. Janice
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Phil
Dazed & Confused Runner
Posts: 29
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Post by Phil on Mar 5, 2006 22:49:32 GMT -5
My plan is to head up there on the 19th. That should make a good training run for an ultra I'm doing on April 15th. I ran the full Kolb's Farm loop today. I have never seen the Kennesaw trails this crowded before. I had to park way up highway 41. Ended up being an 18-miler. I'm not sure what it was, but I was wiped. Maybe it was the 68F temp or maybe not recovered after SCUR. I'll take it easy next week, then hit the AT. I'm psyched! I would wear the Leones up there. If you start at Hogpen and head towards Unicoi, the first 10+ miles are relatively smooth trail - in part an old wagon road. There are a couple of climbs, worse than average at Kennesaw, but not as bad or as long as running up Kennesaw Mtn. The last 4 miles to Unicoi has some "rock beds". These sections have lots of rocks, but once you get past them, it is back to normal. There are a couple of climbs in this section as well. And a BIG decent down to Unicoi Gap. One REALLY nice side trail is Jacks Knob Trail that diverts over at Chattahoochee gap (10 miles from Hogpen and where the famous river "starts"). It is about 3 miles on trail to the base of Brasstown Bald. Then it is about 4 miles up to the top on trail. A very nice run. Have fun if you go. As soon as I am uninjured I plan to go up there again. Janice
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Phil
Dazed & Confused Runner
Posts: 29
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Post by Phil on Mar 12, 2006 21:14:49 GMT -5
I went to the AT today. I did an out-and-back from Hog Pen to Cool Springs Gap. That made it a 16-mile trip. This was my first time to the AT, so I had no idea what to expect. Like you said it was more difficult than Kennesaw. I think the main problem I was having was the footing. There were quite a few climbs. At Kennesaw you can somewhat make up for the climbs by picking up the pace on the dowhills. Not so on this portion of the AT (at least for me). Due to the rocky path, I really never felt good about going fast on the downhills. And the heat today got up to 79. Being the first warmish run of the year, I am in no way acclimated. At any rate, I did have fun. Here's a photo that my daughter took of me at the trailhead: i2.tinypic.com/radohk.jpg -- Phil If you start at Hogpen and head towards Unicoi, the first 10+ miles are relatively smooth trail - in part an old wagon road. There are a couple of climbs, worse than average at Kennesaw, but not as bad or as long as running up Kennesaw Mtn.
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Post by janice on Mar 13, 2006 21:12:48 GMT -5
very cool Phil!
Glad you got to go up there and run. The AT will make you tough that is for sure. It can be a lot harder when it's warm.
hope to be up there too sometime soon, janice
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