Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area
Tray Mountain–Appalachian Viewpoint, 4 summits
8.4 mi · ▲ 1,609 ft · 3 hr 36 min
Tray Mountain–Appalachian Viewpoint, 4 summits is an 8.4-mile out-and-back in Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area near Mountain Scene, GA. The route passes Indian Grave Gap and Tray Mountain before reaching Appalachian Viewpoint at the turnaround, 4.2 miles in. It climbs 1,609 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade. It scores 88/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Tray Mountain–Appalachian Viewpoint, 4 summits
8.4 mi · ▲ 1,609 ft · 3 hr 36 min
Elevation 2,878–4,304 ft
Out & Back · Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area
Trailhead: Indian Grave Gap Road · 34.81602, -83.72703
Weather Sep 6: sunrise 7:12 AM · sunset 7:56 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Indian Grave Gap Road, heading E.
- 1.6 miBear left onto Rocky Mountain Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Indian Grave Gap Road, heading SW.
- 0.6 miPass Indian Grave Gap.
- 200 ftTurn left onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading S.
- 0.9 miTurn right onto camp site, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto spring trail, heading E.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Tray Mountain Road, heading NE.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Trail, heading NE.
- 0.5 miPass Appalachian Viewpoint.
- 250 ftReach Tray Mountain, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Tray Mountain Road, heading NW.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto spring trail, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear right onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto camp site, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading SW.
- 0.9 miTurn right onto Indian Grave Gap Road, heading SW.
- 0.6 miTurn left onto Rocky Mountain Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftBear right onto Indian Grave Gap Road, heading N.
- 1.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.7 mi in (~119 min). Leave by 5:37 PM for the 7:56 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Indian Grave Gap Road Trailhead
- waterfall view & High Shoals Falls 1.8 mi · ▲ 382 ft
- Indian Grave Gap Road 1.9 mi · ▲ 590 ft
- abandoned road via Indian Grave Gap Road 2 mi · ▲ 456 ft
- waterfall view & High Shoals Falls 2.1 mi · ▲ 515 ft
- Hiwassee River Road via Indian Grave Gap Road 3.9 mi · ▲ 873 ft
- Indian Grave Gap & Rocky Mountain Trail via Indian Grave Gap Road 4.2 mi · ▲ 297 ft
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