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


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.)