Hike Date: 02/15/14
Total Distance: 11 miles (roundtrip)
Elevation Gain: 2000 ft
Total Elevation: 3600 ft
Just north of Dahlonega, GA, highway 60 provides access to one of the most convenient sections of the Appalachian Trail's 82 mile run through Georgia: Woody Gap. Situated just south of Big Cedar Mountain, the AT provides stunning views of the Appalachians before offering access to a variety of trails, many of which form loops back to the parking lot. Another path, the Dockery Lake Trail, guides travelers along scenic creeksides and foothills before reaching a beautiful north Georgia vista. This would be my destination for the hike.
The trail from the parking lot continues through the woods for some distance before reaching Big Cedar Mountain. It had only been a few days since the second of two (so far) crippling ice storms slammed into Georgia, proving especially catastrophic in Atlanta. Plenty of snow and ice remained (about 4-6 inches), allowing for a particularly scenic landscape. The nearby trees appeared to have frozen in the wind, which still tore across the region well above the 30 mph range. Unfortunately, the temperatures were still in the 20s, so a few extra layers were in order.
Shortly after passing a small restroom, a sign guides visitors north along the Appalachian Trail. After spending some time hiking through the woods, the trail begins its ascent towards the summit of Big Cedar Mountain.
The path leading up seems reminiscent of a typical mountain pass, escalating as a winding trail rather than a straight shot to the top. However, the path does become more steep when nearing the top. It does mean a more strenuous climb (especially in the snow), but one well worth the effort after reaching the top. Hikers are rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding mountains, enhanced by the unique foliage native to this region. Today, however, the landscape was obstructed by an abundance of clouds. Fortunately, this is the first of two major overlooks for Big Cedar Mountain. Continuing north on the AT, I was led to a small side trail with a similar outcropping dubbed Preaching Rock. Here, the clouds were thinner, and the rising sun silhouetted the mountainscape against the horizon. I took some time to relish in the unique scene before continuing down the mountain.
After descending the other side of Big Cedar, the Appalachian trail continues north along a gap to the intersection with Dockery Lake Trail. This path leads just over 3.5 miles east to, you guessed it, Dockery Lake.
It starts off as a pretty straight forward trail, but soon offers some interesting twists. Shortly after descending from the gap, Dockery Trail takes a new form, looking less like a trail and more like a channel. It almost seems designed to funnel water down the hill, though currently covered in snow. I found myself wishing that I had an innertube handy, as it would surely provided a more thrilling descent.
At the next turn, the trail shifts left and runs along a nearby stream. A unique selection of plant life grows along its shoreline. The trail eventually turns again, temporarily leading away from the stream before twisting around and leading over it. Like the nearby segment of the AT, this trail features several stream crossings. Most are easy enough with a few cautious steps on the stepping stones, but some were a bit deeper than usual due to the melting snow.
Shortly thereafter, the Dockery Lake trail leads through a dark hemlock forest that, while exquisite, makes it a bit difficult to stay on track in certain areas. The light blue blazes become less common, so I had to rely on footprints embedded in the snowy terrain to guide my way.
After the forest, the trail begins to twist around the outer rim of some nearby foothills. From here, I caught a few mostly clear glimpses of some nearby snow capped mountains. It was a sight as rare as it is beautiful while hiking in the North Georgia Mountains. I was reminded of a few trips up to Smoky Mountain National Park.
After clearing the foothills, the path leads through a more forested area while running alongside a creek. As I neared the lake, I could hear the sound of rushing water growing steadily louder. The stream seemed to be increasing in width, so I was expecting to find some rapids up ahead. However, I discovered something even more impressive: a waterfall cascading down the side of a nearby foothill. Such a sight was not expected for this hike and greatly enhanced the overall experience. A short hike away, I found its source: Dockery Lake.
The vista presented a serene setting, the perfect resting spot after the long hike. A wooden dock partially circled the rim of the lake and connected with trails leading into the woods. A mountain rose above the bank in the distance. The clouds had mostly cleared, allowing the sparking lake to reflect the clear blue sky.
I decided to forgo the nearby trails and save my energy for the snowy hike back. It turned out to be a wise decision, as hiking back out proved to be a much greater challenge. With each step forward, I seemed to slip half of a step back. This was the case for the better part of Dockery Lake Trail. Oddly enough, the hike back to top of Big Cedar Mountain via the AT was much easier. The sky had begun to clear, providing great views of nearby snow-capped mountains during the ascent. At the top, the overlook so ridden with clouds earlier had also cleared, providing incredible panoramic views of the north Georgia mountains. This was, by far, one of my most challenging and fulfilling hikes.
More pictures to come.
