Name: Tray Mountain via Tray Gap
Rating: 4

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Tray Mountain via Tray Gap Tray Mountain Wilderness, GA

LENGTH 1.5 MILES

DIFFICULTY 4.3 Easy

DURATION 1 hour

ELEVATION GAIN

600

feet

TRAIL TYPE

There And
Back Again

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap

Hike the shortest route to Tray Mountain from Tray Gap along the Appalachian Trail. For a 1.5 mile hike roundtrip, you get views to both the north and south of the summit, making this an excellent shorter day hike.

Getting to Tray Gap will be a challenge if you don't have a vehicle with some ground clearance or 4-wheel drive, but I've been told sedans should be able to make it from the west side of Tray Mountain Road coming from Helen.

The AT crosses the gap on the south side. You'll be heading north on the AT, in this case, west. You should immediately pass an info board (with nothing on it at the time of this hike) and be heading uphill or you're going the wrong way.

Ascend up a few switchbacks, coming to a view to the north at .6 miles. Just another tenth of a mile further you'll summit Tray Mountain, having climbed 600 feet in .7 miles making for a steep rate of over 800 feet per mile. Along the way are numerous erosion control water drain off paths.

The short hike is worth it with a good view to the south and just a few feet further down the trail, another view to the north. If you're looking for something longer, try Tray Mountain from Indian Grave Gap or from Unicoi Gap for a much more epic hike.

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap.
Parking at Tray Gap.

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap.
You should be heading uphill northbound on the AT. You will immediately pass an info sign. Nothing was on it at the time of this hike.

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap.
Rocky section.

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap.
Following the Appalachian Trail northbound.

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap.
View to the north on the way up.

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap.
Almost to the summit.

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap.
View looking south at the summit of Tray Mountain.

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap.
Just a few steps past the first view, another view opens up to the north.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

45 ft

1 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

285 ft

21 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.4 mi

228 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.2 mi

152 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.2 mi

198 ft

For out-and-back hikes, elevation loss is the same as the gain.

Terrain Map Click to control map

Details

length1.5 miles

difficulty4.3 Easy

duration1 hour

features Dog Friendly Summit Views

trail typeThere And Back Again

blazeWhite

elevation gain600 ft.

state Georgia

park/forestTray Mountain Wilderness
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

ranger districtBlue Ridge Ranger District
2042 Highway 515 West
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-6928

parking feeNone

trailhead coordinates 34.799313, -83.6909 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°47.96, W 83°41.45 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°47'58'', N 34°47'58'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 34°47.96, W 83°41.45

Google Map It

Tray Gap has three roads leading to it. The east side of Tray Mountain Road is closed and would only be accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicle. I have been told the west side of Tray Mountain Road from Helen off GA-17/GA-75 is accessible by sedans but it's still recommended to have a vehicle with ground clearance or 4-wheel drive. Taking Indian Grave Gap Road to Tray Mountain Road crosses a creek making it not recommended for low ground clearance cars. From the north, as of Fall 2018 Corbin Creek Road is currently not accessible by sedan. Work is planned for Spring of 2019 to repair washed out sections. Call the Ranger Station for more information.

Parking Capacity

10-15 vehicles.

Notes

The trail has sections that are quite rocky and can be slippery when wet.

Nearby Hikes

Tray Mountain via Indian Grave Gap

5 mi

9.4

Rocky Mountain via Indian Grave Gap

Rocky Mountain via Unicoi Gap

3 mi

Tray Mountain via Unicoi Gap

Similar Hikes

Pine Mountain West Loop

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

4 (1)

New Review New Comment

hikethesouth-5 years ago

Great Short Option to Tray Mountain

This is the shortest route to Tray Mountain, but the views don't know the difference. Don't let the 1.5 miles fool you, it's still a steep climb up. Good views in both directions.

Easy | Hiked Fall 2018

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.