Levelland Mtn via Tesnatee: SOTA Guide, W4G/NG-014

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Drive Guide - Levelland/Tesnatee Gap from ATLANTA

• Duration: 1:45
• Google Maps URL from Atlanta (33.917, -84.3378): https://goo.gl/maps/hHBHSgdjYtN2
• Seasonal/Limited Access: All seasons, paved roads, BUT Richard B Russell sometimes gets closed for repairs or ice. Check with GDOT. Plan an alternate.
• Directions:
  • N on GA-400 and go 47 miles.
  • At end of 400 (@ GA-60) go straight onto GA-115. Go 4.8
  • GA-115 turns R. (About 60 minute drive to this turn.) Go 11.4.
  • L on Tesnatee Gap Valley Rd. There’s a left turn lane. Go 2.8.
  • Go straight onto McAfee Rd. (Tesnatee turns left.) Go 0.2
  • L on US-129 N at T. (About 1:15 total drive time to this turn.) Go 0.8.
  • R on GA-75A. Go 5.9.
  • L on Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy (GA-348). (About 1:25 from trip start.) Go 7.0, passing Hogpen Gap trailhead.
  • Continue 0.6 to Tesnatee Gap trailhead on L.
• Food
  • Last McDonalds: GA-400 at GA-53.
  • Dinner: 5 Guys in Home Depot shopping center, just south of GA-53, or there’s a barbecue joint with a pink pig across from the McDonalds at GA-53.

Drive Guide - Tesnatee Gap to Atlanta (partial)

• R out of the lot and go 7.6
• R on GA-75 Alt and go 5.9
• L on US-129 S and go 0.8
• R on McAfee Rd / Testatee Gap and go 3
• R on GA-115 S and go 11.5
• L on GA-115 S and go 4.6
• Straight onto GA-400 S

Trail Guide

• Duration: 4.5 miles / ?? out, ?? back (very steep)
• Navigation
  • West (nominal south) on AT.
• Trailhead altitude: 3150’ @ parking
• Summit altitude: 3900’ @ 34.7322,–83.903
• GPS tracks/waypoints:
  • Trailhead: 34.726,-83.8476
  • Optional extension: Hike from Tesnatee Gap to Wildcat Mtn
    • Distance to trail junction for side trail is 0.7 miles east (nominal north), up 690’ and down 400’ (one way), with 0.4 more miles on side trail to summit.
    • Side Trail to Wildcat Summit/Whitley Gap Shelter Trail: 34.7248,-83.841
    • Wildcat Summit: 34.7174, -83.8382

Summit Guide

• Hang antenna from tree: Yes
• Space to guy mast: Yes
• Cell coverage: AT&T and Verizon and APRS – all good

After Hike:

Scout out access to AT north of Hogpen Gap:

• L out of lot and go 1.8
• R on USFS-?. (Twin-track; acute R) and go 0.35
  • About 1/2 way you will cross intermittent stream twice.
  • Trailhead is on R, just prior to 3rd crossing of stream.

Plan-B Summit(s)

• Blood Mountain/Levelland Mountain. (South on 75A, R on US-129. 21 miles @ 27 minutes.)