Bly Gap - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Bly Gap
Country:	United States
State:	Georgia
Nearby Town:	Hiawassee
Rating:
Directions:	The is no road access to Bly Gap. the nearest access is USFS 72 at Blue Ridge Gap which is sometimes passable. If you drive to Blue Ridge Gap you definitely need a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance. The road is rocky and rutted in many sections. Otherwise, you need to go to Dick's Creek Gap and hike a longer route to get here.
Total Hike Distance:	6.20 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate to Difficult
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Blue Ridge Gap (USFS 72)
Trails Used:	Appalachian Trail
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	Springs
Management:	U.S. Forest Service
Contact Information:	Appalachian Trail Conservancy 799 West Washington Street Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 (304) 535-6331
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads, Unmaintained Gravel or Dirt Roads, Four Wheel Drive Required, High Clearance Vehicle Required
Hike Summary:	The Appalachian Trail in North Carolina has 95.5 miles of trail which includes more than 200 miles that run along the Tennessee border. Located one-tenth of a mile north of the Georgia and North Carolina border is Bly Gap which sits in a saddle with winter views to the west and east. The hike to Bly Gap is an in-and-out, backtrack trip that can be done as either a day or overnight hike. The approach to Bly Gap starts from Blue Ridge Gap at U.S. Forest Road 72 and follows the Appalachian Trail northbound for 3.1 miles and nearly 1000 feet to a gnarly old tree that is located just past the Georgia and North Carolina state line. There is a spring to the right before you reach the ridge line that was piped when we last used it in 2015. We approached the trailhead from the west via a rough heavily rutted dirt road that absolutely requires four wheel drive. If you plan to drive to Blue Ridge Gap, approach from the west because the road from the east is even rougher and requires a river crossing.