AT Indian Grave Gap/Unaka Mountain - Member Hike

Hike Name: AT Indian Grave Gap/Unaka Mountain
Country: United States
State: Tennessee
Nearby Town: Erwin
Rating: 4 stars
Directions: From Knoxville; I-40 East to I-81 then to I-26 Exit 57A(Johnson City) then to Exit 19( Main St) Erwin, left at stop sign, follow sign to 107. Turn right at stop sign 107W then left @ traffic light 395E (Rock Creek Rd) follow this road to TN/NC state line trailhead on left. (Lat:36.11088 Lon:-82.36099)
Total Hike Distance: 10.00 miles
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Permit Required: No
Hike Type: In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends: Indian Grave Gap
Trails Used: AT
Backcountry Campsites: Yes
Backcountry Water Sources: Streams, Springs
Management: National Park Service
Contact Information: http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=11&GetHikesStateID=1&ID=5160
Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Users: Hikers
Road Conditions:
Hike Summary: Your hike begins at Indian Grave Gap, this is a great day hike or you may want to pitch a tent at Beauty Spot Gap or Unaka Mtn and turn this into a easy backpack. You'll ascend 1100' over the next 2.3 miles following the white blazes of the AT. Once you emerge from the new growth forest the AT empties into a open grass bald you will see a old fence bridge that once climbed over a barbed wire fence. Your blazes are now found on green fence post through the open terrain. There are 360-degree views here including Roan Mtn and Grandfather Mtn with Unaka Mtn straight ahead. There is a white blaze on a fence post to your right at the base of Beauty Spot Gap follow this back into the forest for your ascend to Unaka. This is the only strenuous part of the hike as you will dig over 1100' in just over 1.5 miles. The summit lies just ahead 1/2 mile past the rock outcrop. This is a great hike year round especially late summer when the blueberries are in bloom.

I've done this hike but used Bobby Trotters hike report because of the great information he has on the hike as well as it's been about 8 years since I did it. I would highly recommend this hike. I might just try to talk the trail boss into this one the day after we do Clingman's Dome.

Hiker:

Tree Top Flyer


26,350 points


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