Hiking the section from Gooch Gap to Mountain Crossing. Trying to decide where to start, where to finish. Is one direction harder than the other? Also, is there overnight parking at both locations?
Hiking the section from Gooch Gap to Mountain Crossing. Trying to decide where to start, where to finish. Is one direction harder than the other? Also, is there overnight parking at both locations?
There is a small parking area at Gooch Gap, but getting there isn't easy. It's a long way out on a rough forest service road. You'll need good directions and navigation skills to find it. It would be easier to stop at Woody gap which has a large parking lot and if your looking for a shuttle, that's a much easier and less expensive place to be picked up or dropped off. It's only just under 4 miles shorter then going to Gooch.
There is no parking at Mountain Crossings, it's private. Parking is about 1/4 mile down hill from the Gap and is usually full early on weekends. A very popular day hike up to Blood Mountain.
Probably easier to go north. Otherwise you have a stiff climb first thing up and over Blood Mt.
On the other hand, once you make it up Blood Mountain, it's pretty much all downhill except for the climb up from Lance Creek.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slo-go'en
Gooch Gap is easy to access. It's a short and well maintained forest service road after leaving the pavement. Not a long drive from Woody Gap. You may be confusing this with some other location. I was there just a couple of weeks ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slo-go'en
I would start from Gooch Gap. Otherwise, you would have to climb up Blood Mountain the difficult way through all the rocks instead of climbing down which probably is a little bit easier. I think hiking from Gooch is easiest. You can do it all in one day.
During the week, finding a parking space at the Byron Reese parking area (at Neels Gap) is not a problem. Friday thru Sunday is near impossible in the fall.
I would also do this section northbound. You might want to consider going on to Tesnatee Gap instead of stopping at Neels. Really good views in that section and easier parking. You could start at Woody Gap to offset some of the difference.