Grassy Gap Trail (Exploratory) (Camino Training Hike 2)

As several of us are going to be hiking the Camino Portugués in the late spring and with numerous back to back to back big mileage days included in that journey, I thought it would be a good idea to plan a series of training hikes in preparation. These hikes are intended to be big mileage, but with only low to moderate elevation gain. While this series of hikes is intended for those training for the Camino, anyone is welcome to participate, assuming you are up to the challenge.

Most of you know my practices for hikes, but I'll repeat them here. This is NOT a guided hike and you are responsible for your own well-being and ability to complete the hike within the listed time. These are big mileage hikes at a brisk pace and if you don't hike regularly, I would strongly recommend against your participation.

We will be departing the trailhead at the posted time. Do not expect the group to wait for you if you are running late, though you are welcome to try and catch up with the group.

I will be monitoring the weather closely as the day of the hike approaches and will likely cancel in the case of inclement weather. This decision will generally be made the night before the hike and post accordingly. You should check this posting prior to leaving for the trailhead.

Now onto the details of this specific training hike:

We'll be hiking an out-and-back on the Grassy Gap Trail in the Big Frog Wilderness area of Tennessee. From reports I've read, this trail is not maintained all that well and so, you should expect blow-downs and other obstacles. Our distance will be about 14.6 miles round-trip with about 2,350 feet of elevation gain. It's February, so plan for cold weather and potentially snow and ice on the trail. We'll be following this route:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/grassy-gap-trail

Directions to the trailhead:
35.054476, -84.500802

NOTE: As the final part of this drive is on forest service roads, I may cancel this hike depending on snowfall/road conditions leading up to the event. I would strongly recommend a high clearance vehicle with good tread on the tires.

As this is a fair distance from Atlanta, carpooling is recommended and those that are riding with others are encouraged to provide the driver with some compensation for gas.

• From the junction of I-285N and I-75N, head north on I-75N and drive 8.2miles
• When I-575N splits from I-75N (Exit 268), use the right two lanes to continue onto I-575N. Continue for 30.3 miles
• Vere left onto GA-515/GA-5N. Drive 41.2 miles towards Ellijay
• In the town of Blue Ridge, turn left onto Blue Ridge Dr/GA-5N and continue for 10.2 miles
• At the T (right at the George/Tennessee border), turn left onto TN-68N/Ocoee St and drive 3.1 miles
• Take the exit on the left to join US-64W/US-74W and drive 7.5 miles
• Turn left onto Forest Service Road 45 and drive 2.9 miles
• Turn right onto Forest Service Road 221
• The small parking area should be on your left after about half-a-mile