springer mt/amicalola falls

“jan 1-5 i plan on backpacking the amicalola falls AT approach trail and some of the AT. anyone interested? i was thinking of possibly a shuttle from afsp to woody gap or blood mountain. i want to get an early start on new years day, and do four days and nights of solid backpacking, with the last night at blood mountain shelter and a short hike out on the fifth and return home that day. if i have to do it by myself, ill just do an out and back from afsp to hawk mt shelter. also, if anyone is familiar with the area, id appreciate any info of what to expect (weather, wildlife, terrain, trail conditions, etc) i can be reached at phantom1970@msn.com if anyone is interested”

“anyone? anyone? bueller? bueller?”

“Sounds icy, might try it. I would be going in before the year is out. Never been there before, is this place crowded that time of the year.”

“i live right near that area. email me with more specific questions. deathtruckjr@yahoo.com”

“i have no idea, waterdog. never been to georgia in my life. 2002 was my breaking-in year, my apprentice-ship, now in 2003, im going to take some slightly more ambitious trips and thought id kick it off here.”

“You may see snow....it's Georgia weather though so I can't really tell you how it's going to be. The approach trail is pretty steep (until you get to the top of the falls). Once at the top, the hiking isn't too bad at all. There are actually two ways you can go near the top (look on a map and you will see what I am talking about). One way leads to a backpackers inn (which I think is around five miles from the top of the falls--very interesting) and the other way is more direct (I believe---dont have a map in front of me). I'm no expert on wildlife...you'd have to ask a biologist ;)

The backpackers inn is neat (although it may be a bit of a short hike for the first day), unfortunately I don't have any information on it. Sorry I wasn't too helpful =(”

“I'm really itchin' to get started on some serious AT hiking, but I'm not sure that is the time for me to do it. I'll keep an eye on this thread.”

“http://www.hike-inn.com/

Not sure if the link will work..I apologize if it dosen't. I haven't been to the Hike Inn but it is what I am asking for for my birthday in the spring! Check it out!!”

“you (and everyone else) were very helpful, steadfast.”

“Several of us did that hike this time last yr, between christmas and new yrs.”

“See my response at "the other site".”

“Towndawg: Did you stay at the inn?”

“The weather this time of year can change day to day, 50's one day and 20's and icy the next. Lots of gaps on the trail up and down, trail is in good shape not too many blowdowns. Some deer, grouse and small animals. Im going from Neals gap to Unicoi Gap after Christmas, hope the weather holds we have been having cold rain alot.”

“in 18 days i will be on my way! my first major solo. and ive been informed theres a shuttle service in the area i plan to hike, so i can cover more new territory. woohoo!”

“Ya...rainy today. I was going to try to do some hiking this weekend but I think I'll be busy. If you guys are trying to decide on a good hike in Georgia on the AT (a weekend hike), you could try going from Unicoi to Dicks Creek Gap (about 16 mi), although Tray mountain can be a bit crowded at times. For an even bigger challenge, try doing this southbound (from Dicks Creek to Unicoi).

Woody Gap to Neel's gap is a nice one too...but it is also fairly crowded. And yes btw, that link did work, thank you.”

“I just did Woody to Unicoi...very nice hike, not as hard as the section from Springer to Woody.”

“In case you didn't know, there is a gravel road(USFS 42)up Springer Mt. From the road it's a 0.9 mile hike to the Southern Terminus, you would have to back track that too but if memory serve it's ridge top hiking(easy). It would save you six miles and get you pretty much right to the AT. Just an option to think about...”

“That's the way I did it, but with the way I'm hiking the AT (short sections every year) I don't have any time to waste hiking something that's not an official part of the AT.”

“crazygurl/walkingcrow: No -- we didn't stay at the Inn. We took the left option up the mountain. The right loop is the one that goes to the inn.

As for the shortcut, let me say this. I have read that nearly 65% of all the folks who chose to walk the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail bail out on the 8.8 mile approach trail -- so there was NO WAY I was going to take the US42 shortcut to the top. I wanted to see what was so bad about this little approach (1500' I think?) that had folks bailing out left and right.

CrazyGurl: Lodges aren't my thing. I refuse to pay $70/night and eat smoked salmon in the mountains with all the other Eddie Bauer types. I would prefer to bring my tent and bring my own salmon. I really don't need the turn-down linen service either.

WalkinCrow: Maybe someday I will drive to the top, but part of what made it magical for me, was seeing the plaque on Springer Mt -- and knowing I just dragged my butt up nearly nine miles to see it.

To each their own I guess.. :)”

“I want to camp too Tawndawg..the tent whole nine yards. I just thought that looked like a neat place to visit.”

“Towndawg; when I reached the southern terminus I had been on the AT nearly three months and a free ride to the showers at Amicola sounded 'bout nice.
I would like to go back and do the trail some day, don't get me wrong. I just wanted to point out the option.
Hike your own hike.

Bitpusher, I'm working on section hiking the northern half, should only take a few decades LOL. Are you doing your sections in order? I'm really debating doing my next sction in order or skipping to a more 'senic' section. My knees have bad memories of PA.”

“Pardon the occasional missing letters, my key board is acting up.”

“Pretty much in order so far, crow. I've got from Springer to Unicoi Gap under my belt so far, 50.7 wonderful miles in two years. At this rate I should be done in, oh about 85 more years. lol...

Actually, I'm trying to save up my vacation so in a couple of years I can take 3-4 weeks off and knock out a long section.”

“My apologies if I sounded snotty... My point was just that if you want to fully appreciate the southern terminus.. do the approach.. but I understand your logic completely walkincrow..

:)”