SOTA Guide - Double Spring Knob (W4G/NG-007) + Round Top (W4G/NG-013)

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Combined Double Spring Knob and Round Top Activation

Drive Guide

  • Duration: 2:30 from Atlanta
  • Google Maps URL from Atlanta (33.917, -84.3378): http://goo.gl/maps/QQRl2
  • Seasonal/Limited Access: Dirt road. I saw open gates on 2012.12.30. Patrick did not report closed gates on 2013.02.27. FS map does not show it as seasonal.
  • Directions:
    • CAREFUL: The default Google Maps route got the penultimate bits WRONG!
      • My URL above avoids the wrong bit.
      • Do NOT turn left on Verner Kastner. It is a private driveway.
    • About 2:30 from Atlanta
    • I-85 north to I-985 / GA-365 north.
    • Travel 45.1 miles total on 985/365.
    • At Cornelia, take GA-105 / US-441 Historical north (left). Go 0.7.
    • Left on GA-105. Go 8.5.
    • Left on GA-17. Go 3.5.
    • Right on 255-ALT. Go 3.3.
    • Right on GA-255 north. Go 3.1.
    • Left on GA-197. Go 7.1.
    • Left on West Wildcat Rd (a.k.a. USFS-26-1).
      • Set trip odometer to zero here and don’t touch it until you park.
      • This road is on your left, just past volunteer fire station.
      • Street sign with the road name, FS sign for the area, and FS sign for campgrounds.
      • Drove it in my 2006 Corolla. Some spots where any erosion will be a problem.
      • Gate at 0.9 miles (34.8329, -83.5966?). It was open on December 30, 2012.
        • “Forest Service Roads, Chattahoochee-Oconee” shows 26-2 as closed Jan 1-Feb 29, but 26-1 has no close date, nor is shaded as seasonal road.
      • Gate at 7.7, one mile short of Addis Gap is always closed. (This is marked as a seasonal road on USFS map.) Parking for 3-4 cars near the gate.
  • Food
    • Last McDonalds:
      • It comes just BEFORE Cornelia and your exit to US-441.
      • It is before Cornelia on Level Grove Rd.
    • Penultimate McDonalds:
      • 3183 Frontage Rd, Gainesville. GA-53 / Mundy Mill Rd exit.
    • Dinner

####Trail Guide

  • Duration: TOTAL = 5:15
    • 1:45 from parking to Double Spring Knob
    • 1:00 from Double Spring Knob back to Addis Gap
    • 0:15 rest stop in Addis Gap
    • 1:00 from Addis Gap to Round Top
    • 1:00 from Round Top back to parking

  • Significant bushwhacking - Carry a GPS.

  • Navigation (parking to Double Spring):
    • There’s a gate on Wildcat Road, about a mile from the AT. You may read about another gate. Its remains are about half way between the 1-mile gate and Addis Gap. Walk past the gate and up the road.
    • When you come to a T, take the trail to your left. It is marked with a forest service iron post with a diamond on it.
    • Addis Gap is well marked. It is clearly a gap. The dirt road you enter on crests and continues forward and down. AT goes left and right. Turn R for the Double Spring Knob.
    • As you near the summit, the trail crosses over the ridge and starts to descend. You don’t descend.
    • In Dec. 2012, there was a snow plus ice layer on everything. I bushwhacked from the trail to the summit. Briars were a problem.
    • There is a faint manway parts of the way to the summit when not obscured by snow.
  • Navigation (Double Spring to Round Top):
    • Backtrack to Addis Gap.
    • Continue through Addis Gap on AT.
    • As you near the summit, the trail curves around the end of the ridge. It is about 45 minutes from Addis Gap.

    • Bushwhack to summit.

    • Trailhead altitude: 3050’ at gate @ 34.86298, -83.64907
  • Summit altitude: Double Spring =4300’ ; Round Top = 3964’
  • GPS tracks/waypoints:
    • Trailhead at the gate = 34.86298, -83.64907
    • Trail/road junction. Turn LEFT = 34.86698, -83.65280
    • Addis Gap and the Appalachian Trail = 34.86317, -83.65616
    • Begin Double Spring bushwhack = 34.87587, -83.65467
      • Note: I returned to the AT at 34.87749, -83.65464. Less brush via this route, but steep climb.
    • Round Top bushwhack begins = 34.84812, -83.66028
      • Note: I returned to the AT at 34.84834, -83.66022. This would be an OK point to depart the AT.

####Summit Guide: Double Spring Knob

  • Hang antenna from tree: Dense, scrubby trees made it tough.
  • Space to guy mast: I recommend carrying a mast and using bungee cords or velcro to bind it to a tree stump.
  • Cell coverage:
    • AT&T = intermittent; Vzn = Unknown; APRS = Unknown.
    • You SHOULD be able to get off an SMS to self-spot.
  • Unique features: No view.

####Summit Guide: Round Top

  • Hang antenna from tree: Yes. No problem.
  • Space to guy mast: Yes. No problem.
  • Cell coverage: AT&T = good; Vzn = Unknown; APRS = Unknown
  • Unique features: No view.

####Plan-B Candidates

  • You should have a Plan-B for this one. There are some spots in the road that will wash out if not maintained soon; if you go in winter, be sure to check on the status of those gates.
  • Little Bald Knob?
  • Tray Mountain?
  • The OTHER Round Top (W4G/NG-030)?
  • Levelland

©2023 Kevin P. Kleinfelter.