I have been running on this course exclusively with trekking poles and an Alteo 25 pack, with about 15-25 pounds, so my time and perceived effort will be based on this. I primarily do road races, some trail runs, but seldom ever mountain runs. I hike and fastpack a bit, so that helped me to adjust to mountain trail running quickly. I've been running GDR course segments since January, and have become more than familiar with the terrain and distances, as well as having measured on Garmin 310 and eTrex 30 for accuracy.
I originally planned to do a walk-through (fastpacking) of the entire course, but the weather failed to cooperate on those occasions. My guide here will be based on hard markers or points that are easily distinguishable. I did this primarily for out-of-staters like myself, since many of you may not have had an opportunity to visit even a single part of the trail. I've included photos of specific markers, or map points. Some areas I couldn't photograph because it was so cold the camera wouldn't function, or I just plain forgot it. At any rate, the visuals will provide you with some sense of familiarity when you see them along the trail or FSRs (forest service roads). I opted not to post any elevation charts/graphs here, as it is a moot point. We know there's about 15k gain and the same of loss, we know some are long and constant, others are short and steep, no need to get wrapped around the axle over numbers. What's important is that you know how to get over them, and if you signed up for this race, chances are you have some idea of how...at least, we hope so! ;)
Bear in mind we will be starting at the Visitor Center, which adds a little bit of distance, not more than a quarter mile.
Also, we also will not follow the standard route by the vending machines, but apparently will use some road bed that intersects the Coosa Loop. Since this track has not been definitively laid out for us to view or follow at this point, my starting reference will remain the known start for the Coosa Loop. The pic below illustrates the start point (1), the intersection of Coosa and Bear Hair (2), and the intersection of Coosa and Wolf Pen Gap Road (3).
From the vending machines by Cottage 7 to the Coosa/Duncan Ridge Trail marker is 7 miles.
-Intersection of Bear Hair Trail/Coosa Trail
-Intersection of Coosa and Wolf Pen Gap Road, 1 mile
-Bridge support is partially eroded here at mile 3...look before you leap!
-Calf Stomp Gap, about 6 miles (no photo)
-Intersection of Coosa/DRT marker, 7 miles total
***NOTE*** You will not come off the Coosa Trail FACING the sign...rather you will come out from BEHIND it, and take a right. Coosa and the DRT continue together in the opposite direction, which is NOT where you will be going... :)
Coosa/DRT marker to DRT/Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) marker is 13 miles.
-White Oak Stomp, about 1 mile along (no photo), and your first aid station.
-Mulky Gap, about 5-6 miles along, identifiable by a road crossing. There will be an aid station here.
-Fish Gap, another 2-3 miles in, which is a huge cleared area, perfect for bonfires and tailgate parties!
After Fish Gap, you will encounter a series of several short-distance/high-elevation hills which will break your heart...the two HUGE ones I have affectionately named The Colossus and The Megalith...they seem to go up forever. A couple additional ones after these two are also formidable, but not as heart-wrenching.
Here's a view from the top of one of the biggies:
-DRT/BMT marker, total 20 miles
Skeenah out & back to 60 is about 7 miles.
This is the only segment I did not run. Our race handbook states 25 miles to 60, which means 5 miles from the DRT/BMT marker. Yet it describes the Skeenah segment as 1.2 miles (x2 = 2.4), 4 more miles to Wallalah Mountain, and 1.2 miles further to 60 (2.4 + 4+ 1.2 = 7.6 miles, and not 5). A review of the BMT.org website showed the Skeenah segment as 1.4 miles (x2 = 2.8), plus the marker to 60 as being 4.2 miles, for a total of 7 miles...still not 5. Based on trail map measurement and 24K topo, I'm going with 7 miles. Estimate longer, you'll be happier if it ends up shorter! :) And an aid station will be at the Skeenah turnaround. (Edit: A recent measurement is reported at 7.6 miles - any more?)
-BMT-60, you'll come over a bridge and hit the road.
60 to BMT clearing is 10 miles.
The previous segment of 60 to the Toccoa Bridge along the BMT has been dropped, and we will use the FSR, which is not on the ridgeline but along its base, and is shorter. Here you can see the BMT going up and to the left, and the FSR (816) going to the right. There will be an aid station here.
The FSR dead-ends, but a wide and clearly visible path links to the BMT right before the bridge. There will be an aid station here. From the bridge to the clearing, you remain on the BMT...with a long, painful climb, and a couple moderate ones.
-Toccoa Bridge, about 3.1 miles (yes, it looks VERY inviting at this point!)
-Bridge to Clearing, about 6.9 miles
BMT clearing to Nimblewill Church Rd.: 14 miles total
When I ran this segment, I came up from the Church and then went back down. It was about 20 degrees, and I have no idea what the wind chill was. What I DO know is that my water was frozen, and my camera wouldn't work, so there are no pics. Most runners will get to this point while it is still daylight, but the sun may be blocked well before sunset by the intervening trees and ridges. You can make really good time on the FSRs, provided your legs are still working, as it is almost all a progressive downhill. I broke the last two segments down piecemeal, because when it gets dark and you are struggling, it is easier to focus on and conquer small/short sections, rather than a single long one.
Clearing to Noontootla Rd: 5 miles*
-Once you hit the clearing, turn left, hug the treeline. There will be an aid station in about 3/4 mile.
*mile 3 is gate, with shed/cemetery on right.
Nontootla to Winding Stair: 1.8 miles
Winding Stair to Nimblewill Church Rd: 7.2 miles There will be an aid station near the end here.
Nimblewill Church Road, total 51 miles
Nimblewill Church Rd to Amicalola (base of falls): 13.73 miles total
When I ran this segment, from 'lola to the Church and back, I forgot to bring my camera. After three straight days of running, and NO BEER, I was losing my marbles. I did go back and take some pics afterward, but most everyone (myself included) will be seeing these areas in the dark. Before you set out on this last segment, SUGAR LOAD!!! It'll perk your mind and body up, and give you energy to get past the last "hump" to the gap!!
Nimblewill Church Rd to Nimblewill Gap: 7.3 miles*
*pavement ends after 2.4 miles
*climb starts from 3.9 miles
*3.4 mile climb, 1000-1100 feet gain There will be an aid station at the gap.
Nimblewill Gap to base of falls: 6.43 miles*
*about 2 miles of mud and slush
*pavement begins about 4.1
*uphill a quarter mile, left at the stop sign, and on until the next stop at the top of the falls
*long steep 1.7 mile downhill begins on the right, hope your brakes are in good shape!!
*at the bottom, take a left, go about .4 to the base of the falls (but the finish is before that)
If you've made it this far, you've covered 64-65 miles...give or take! More importantly, you're a survivor! Congratulations on completing the inaugural Georgia Death Race! Now go pick up your spike, grab some bacon, and call it a day...or night...or...never mind, just collapse with exhaustion, there'll be others there to carry you.... :)
***NOTE*** If you did not arrive here, then you A) made a wrong turn, B) dropped earlier, or C) ARE DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!!! But the good thing is that you can resurrect yourself for another attempt next year.... ;)
Very well written and great course description. I'm sure people who haven't experienced the course yet will appreciate the time you took to write this up. I enjoyed having a small part in your adventure.
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