This hike is rated moderate in my guide book,"Exploring the Appalachian Trail, Hikes in the Southern Appalachians". The hike from Yellow Creek Gap to Fontana Dam will be 7.8 miles and will follow a south to north route. 500 ft. of elevation gain will happen near the beginning of the hike. The second half of the hike will have an 1800 ft descent. My guide book estimates this to be 6 hour hike.

We will have views of Fontana Lake on this hike. 

The hike will require a shuttle, dropping cars at Fontana Dam, and then driving to Yellow Creek Gap to begin the hike. We will meet in Robbinsville, NC. for breakfast before the hike. 

The meeting place for this hike will be the Mc Donalds in Robbinsville, NC. The address of the meeting place is: 374 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville, NC. 28771. We will be leaving the Mc Donalds at 10:00 AM sharp, so arrive much earlier, to eat and meet.  The Fontana Dam Trailhead is about a 30 minute drive from the Mc Donalds. I hope to be on the trail by 11:00 AM.