Ice Queen’s Redemption = Trail Magic + Car Camp + Hiking

Ice Queen’s Redemption is back!!! SO MUCH FUN!!
Fabulous weekend to kick off your summer! Beautiful weather, sunsets/sunrises, eclectic food and drinks, trail magic for the thru-hikers, car camping, day hikes and campfire dance moves…with the most amazing group of people. This weekend is ALL yours – customize your own itinerary to do as much or as little as you like - whatever makes you happy. No pressure!!

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CAVEAT – ONLY ONE REQUIRED ELEMENT FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS...
TRAIL MAGIC CONTRIBUTIONS of FOOD AND/OR DRINK.

What is Trail Magic?
Acts of generosity in this wild and primitive setting of the Appalachian Trail – where basic amenities of civilization are intentionally absent – are often received in a heightened sense of wonder and gratitude by hikers. These acts of generosity are referred to as “trail magic”.

When is Trail Magic? ALL DAY SATURDAY
40+ very hungry thru hikers served in 2023...

What "trail magic" should I bring?
▪ Food that is fresh, cold, heavy...anything homemade...think beyond traditional, lightweight backpacking foods that are easily accessible via hiker resupply. Instead focus on items that might be hard to come by, spoil without refrigeration, or be too heavy to carry.
▪ Cold beverages, flavored beverages, soda, alcohol, water that is already filtered.
▪ Canopies, tables, camp chairs, coolers with ice – whatever you might have.

Serving the Trail Magic
Once we are set up with food and gear, serving is pretty easy and just requires a few people. It is really fun to just hang out and visit with the thru hikers - some grab a quick bite and keep moving, others stay for hours, and a few might join us for an overnight. But no pressure to stay behind if you want to hike instead!!

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HOG CAMP GAP AREA LAYOUT

PARKING
***▪ Look for Cole Mountain loop Trailhead Parking on Google Maps ***where the AT crosses Wiggins Spring Rd...closest option to our camping/trail magic area. Additional parking available along the side of the road as you head east on Wiggins Springs Rd. Avoid parking at the Mt. Pleasant Trailhead – it is too far away from our camping area.

CAMPSITE LOCATIONS/OPTIONS (from the Cole Mountain parking area)

▪ Main campsite (party zone), west of the AT – head north on AT, then turn left at the “water” sign...the most people, noise and activity.

▪ Trail Magic area – somewhere between the main campsite and the AT “water” sign = canopies, tables, chairs, coolers.

▪ Campsites north of cars, east of the AT – head north on AT, then turn right at the “water” sign for quiet choices. Keep heading east along the water trail for more options.

▪ Campsites closest to the cars, east of the AT – quickest and easiest to get to, but the least private...frequent foot traffic and car noise from the road.

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OTHER STUFF

▪ Arrive and set up camp ANYTIME. Tent and hammock friendly, no fees or reservations required.

▪ Primitive camping = NO amenities whatsoever. Other than being close to our cars, we are camping like crazy people in the woods, in the middle of nowhere. No electricity, bring your own water, and your bathroom is the woods.

▪ Car camping creature comforts are welcome…because life is short & sometimes you are just tired of using a spreadsheet to track the ounces in your pack. No shame, no judgement. Pam's trail name is "Boujee", so she has high standards and expectations to uphold!!!

▪ Set aside your own small stash of food and drinks that doesn’t get consumed by Trail Magic (speaking from experience lol).

▪ Firelogs and bundled firewood welcome.

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HIKE OPTIONS - ANYTIME

Tar Jacket Ridge out/back ** amazing at sunrise
1.7 miles, 367 ft. elevation gain
Trail rating = EASY
▪ MAP: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/tar-jacket-ridge-from-hog-camp-gap-9103820?u=i

Cole Mountain loop ** Cole Mountain bald is great for Sunset
5.9 miles, 1286 ft. elevation gain
Trail rating = MODERATE
▪ MAP: https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/coldmountain/

Mount Pleasant loop
6.3 miles, 1322 ft. elevation gain
Trail rating = MODERATE
▪ MAP: https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/mountpleasant/

Mount Pleasant + Cole Mountain
12.2 miles, 2608 ft. elevation gain
Trail rating = STRENUOUS
▪ MAP: https://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/mountpleasant/