July 21, 2026
AT-Indian Grave Gap to Tray Mountain Shelter
near Helen, GA
For a mid-summer day, the weather was good with cloudy skies and temperatures in the lower 70's. Access to the trailhead at Indian Grave Gap via FA 283 was a bit tough due to numerous large road ruts, but good after passing the High Shoals Fall parking area. The AT itself was good, but was a bit rocky and rooty in places, but no blowdowns. Views from the several overlooks were limited to low clouds , but did improve somewhat as we hiked back. We did see a variety of mushrooms today and a few wildflowers. Overall it was a good hike, moderately difficult due to the continual climb to Tray Mountain with a few short steeper, more difficult trail sections . Today's hikers: Don Pratt, Beth Hawkins, Jenny Bell, Matt Henderson & Toby, Jack Treadman, Bobbie Broussard, Renee Corbett, Alicia Morris, Pam Hembree, Cindi Hansen, Terre Pratt, Mike Bell, Heather Wall & Toby and Jane Voss.
The route
Track: 6.85 mi · 2,526 ft climbing
Photos (23)
One of the few unobscured overlook photos from along the AT today. Photo by Pam Hembree. Today's hikers (L-R) Back: Don, Beth, Jenny, Matt & Toby, Jack, Bobbie, Renee, Alicia, Pam, Cindi & Terre; Front: Mike, Heather & Toby and Jane. It takes a few minutes on FS 283 to get to Indian Grave Gap and the trailhead because the first mile is very rutted. It's all up for the first 2.5 miles. The recent rains have brought out a large variety of fung1. I believe it was Cindi Hansen who was particularly attracted to this Old Man of the Woods edible wild mushroom Passing through the site of the old cheese factory. What, no goats? Interesting while wildflowers: UR: Starry Campion; LR:: Black cohosh; L: Hairy Alumroot Just a foggy view prior to reaching Tray Gap. Although this heart-shaped knot was curious. Still heading up on a fairly descent path after leaving Tray Gap. Passing through a spooky Rhododendron tunnel. Photo by Jane Voss. No better view on top of Tray Mountain. This guy keeps photo bombing my pictures. See, we really did reach to top of Tray Mtn. It's a rocky somewhat steep decent to the shelter from the peak. Checking out another "not any better" view headed for the shelter. Let's take a break. Photo by Pam Hembree Headed back up Tray Mountain from the shelter before the final long hike down. Cindi and Alicia hoping for a clearer view heading back. Fruit of the Common burdock. I don't remembering seeing this before. There was a better view as we heading back on the southwest side of Tray Mtn. Heather and Matt's two Tobys cooling off at the trailhead after the hike. Photo by Pam Hembree. Heather offers us some huckleberries she picked