The first 1.5 miles is not shy and puts you in a steady climb to Levelland Mt. This climb was made on fresh legs and set a good pace. Once you absorb the views from the top you'll only want to push on to the next. The hike to Rock Spring Top goes very quickly so don't forget to detour or stop for the views. Then descending the rocky side you begin the ridge line to Wolf Laurel Top. Once on Wolf Laurel Top you may not want to leave. But, you will see your next Top and only want to get there and look back to where you were. Green Cliff Top gives just that view and then some. Take it in because the hardest the part of the trail lies ahead. The descend down Green Cliff is steep and follows a series of very quick switch backs that spit you out in Tesnatee Gap before you know it. From this descent you get an excellent idea of what lies ahead. From Tesnatee Gap the trail begins a strenuous ascent (approx. 600' in 1/3 mi.) up part of Wildcat Mountain. If you don't need to stop then don't, keep the pace. Rest at the top (6 mi) and maybe detour to Whitley Gap because Hogpen Gap is next. From Hogpen Gap we followed R.B. Russell Hwy. east just passed the scenic pull off area and began a raw bush-whacking to find Dodd Creek. Once we located it we bush-whacked east through heavy rhododendrons, briars and underbrush. There were several falls along the way and some very steep faces. We descended rapidly right to the top of Raven Cliffs Falls and set up camp at the bottom. We hope to get back and blaze our new trail for others to enjoy as an extension of Raven Cliffs Falls Trail to the AT. Continue on to Section 4.

This trip was great! Hopefully the forest fires left by reckless campers won't reach east of Neels Gap.

Also check out: The Hiking Trails of North Georgia -3rd Edition, 1997, by Tim Homan.