Sassafras Mtn, W4G/NG-040, 8 Points

Drive Guide - Sassafras Mountain from Gooch Mtn

• Duration: 0:21 from Gooch Mtn trailhead
• Directions:
  • SW (continue) on Cooper Gap Rd. Go 0.1
  • R fork, and go 5.2
  • To use Horse Gap trailhead, continue 1.5 more.

Drive Guide - Sassafras Mountain from ATLANTA

• Duration: 1:30
• Google Maps URL from Atlanta (33.917, -84.3378):
• Seasonal/Limited Access: Dirt roads; quality OK.
• Directions:
  • WARNING: Take the route shown below
    • Cell Google Maps sent me via Bus. US-19, Black Mtn Rd to Grassy Gap Rd.
    • Grassy Gap Rd becomes 4WD and I had to back out.
  • GA-400/US-19 N, and go 47 miles
  • L on US-19, and go 5.1
  • R on GA-9 and go 8.0
  • Keep L onto GA-60 and go 6.9
  • L on (paved) Cooper Gap Rd and go 2.8
    • L fork at 1.6 (stay on Cooper Gap Rd). Dirt at 2.0; road degrades at 2.5.
  • —- Park on L here for Gooch Mtn trailhead. Take AT to R.
• Food
  • Last McDonalds: Dahlonega
  • Penultimate McDonalds: Hwy 53, Dawsonville, just north of Cumming

Drive Guide - Sassafras Mountain from Springer Mtn

• Duration: 0:40, 10 miles
• Google Maps URL:
• Seasonal/Limited Access: Dirt roads; quality OK.
• Directions:
  • Left out of the Springer Mtn parking and go 2.6
  • Keep left onto Winding Stair Gap Rd and go 3.6.
  • If you need cell signal, just as you turn onto WSG Rd you will briefly get it.
  • There are TWO roads to your left. Left-most goes downhill, near-left goes uphill. Take the uphill left.
  • At 2.4 of 3.6, bear R.
  • Keep R (on main road - Appalachian Blue Ridge Rd) and go 3.7
  • This section was VERY muddy. I don’t think I could have driven it in the other direction. You really should have 48 hours dry before driving this.
  • Park at the + intersection.
• Food: none

Drive Guide - Sassafras Mountain (Horse Gap T-head) TO Atlanta

• Duration: 1:30
• Seasonal/Limited Access: Dirt roads; quality OK.
• Directions:
  • East on Appalachian Blue Ridge Rd. (Facing the road from AT, turn R.) Go 1.5
  • R at T (other Sassafras Mtn trailhead) onto Coopers Gap Rd and go 2.8
  • L on (paved) Camp Wahsega Rd and go 8.4
  • R on Business US-19 S and go 2.2
  • L on Main St and go 0.2
  • R on Mechanic St and go 0.2
  • R on Morrison Moore Pky and go 0.4
  • L on US-19 S and go 5
  • R on US-19 and go 46

Trail Guide - Coopers Gap Rd

• Duration: 0:35, walk 0.7 miles, gain 510’. Down = 0:25
• Navigation
  • Take the AT West for 0.75 miles.
  • Summit is to R of trail. A little past the apparent summit, there’s a side trail to your right. Follow it 20’ to a camping spot.
  • Watch for poison ivy!
• Trailhead altitude: 2815
• Summit altitude: 3340
• GPS tracks/waypoints:
  • Trailhead (Cooper Gap Rd): 34.653, -84.08453
  • Summit: 34.6531, -84.094

Trail Guide (supplement) - Horse Gap

• Duration: 0:40, walk 1.1 miles, gain 662’. Down = 0:25.
  • Trailhead (Horse Gap): 34.65568,-84.10542

Summit Guide

• Hang antenna from tree: Yes
• Space to guy mast: Tough
• Cell coverage: AT&T=yes 2016, Verizon=yes 2015, APRS=yes 2015
• Unique features: none

Plan-B Candidates

• Black Mtn & Big Cedar Mtn