Springer / N. Georgia Appalachian Trail Weekender

“This will be an easy (for N. Georgia) backpack on the very southern end of the AT from Springer Mt. (Forrest Service Road 42) to Cooper Gap (Forrest Service Road 15/42), about 7 miles Saturday and 4 Sunday.

Saturday, July 12
Meet 0900 Saturday morning at Cooper Gap.
Shuttle a vechicle and us to Springer Mt (FS 42).
Dayhike south on AT 0.9 miles to Springer Mt. summit and plaque, return to vehicle.
Backpack north 6.7 miles on AT, camp at or near Hawk Mt. shelter Saturday night.

Sunday, July 13
Backpack 4 miles to Cooper Gap.
Take shuttle driver back to vehicle.

Anybody want to join me?”

“Thanks for the invite SS, but I can't make it. HPM leaves for the Sierras the 11th, and I get the baby all to myself, or she gets me, or something like that...”

“Stove, I wish I could, but I already have a trip planned for that weekend! Sorry man, we'll get together sometime soon.”

“how difficult?”

“Please don't feel you must respond if you have no interest or can't go. ;)
I invited just about everyone in the southeast to this trip with the hope I might get one or two nibbles. If I forgot you, please forgive.


Gemini - For you this would be an easy trip, maybe too easy as I know you like to push yourself!”

“It's not too bad. You'll have to do Sassafras Mtn. the second day, but you'll be fresh for it. The trail from Springer to Hawk isn't too bad at all. Many thru-hikers' dreams have been broken on Sassafras Mountain, though. But like I said, you'll be fresh for it, and once you're over it, there's the car.”

“so is it easy or not?? I'm maybe interested if it's a little bit difficult. It's an area I have not hiked before so I am very tempted. kids are not home that weekend, so I am really really looking for a trip anyway.”

“Stove, thanks for the invite but as of right now I am going to be in the Smokies next weekend.”

“There's a lot of up and down. It's a good stretch of trail. Not easy at all.”

“Sounds like Sassafras Mtn the second day may be a buttkicker!
The first day should be easy.
I've only done the 0.9 mile section from FS 42 to Springer, that part was easy. The rest of the trail is is new to me.”

“I'm saving Springer for when I do the AT.

Is there anyone who is also insane and plans to hike with a 10 year old? Might be a good idea to hike with someone so our kids can entertain one another.

Let me know...”

“Thanks for the invite...but I'll be on a business trip that weekend in Orlando. Poor me...”

“waaaaaahhhhhh! you didnt send me an invite....sniff...sniff.... well i put down as a (weak) maybe, even if you dont want me.”

“Birch says I'd need to wear at least two or three bags over my head......”

“tilts a 3 bagger? wtf?”

“Hey StoveStomper...you have mail. I am very interested in this trip. However, I need directions! I'll be in Myrtle Beach, SC Friday and will leave there and camp somewhere close by Friday night. Thanks!”

“Sorry... long story... inside joke... LOL”

“lemme talk to my boss. the schedule is already made out.”

“i'm gonna get back to you before the weekend. I may am going too.”

“Drive North out of Dahlonega, Georgia on Business US Hwy 19N for 2 miles to Wahsega Rd. on the left indicated by a sign to Camp Frank D. Merrill (U. S. Army Ranger Camp). From this junction on Hwy. 19 go 8 miles on paved Wahsega Rd to the Ranger camp.
Turn right (North) onto unpaved Forrest Service Road 80. Drive up FS 80 to Cooper Gap at the intersection of FS 42.”

“I have to be back at work in Spring Hill, TN. Early Monday morn., could I still make it?”

“karo - We'll be out of the woods early Sunday. Shouldn't take us more than 2.5 to 3 hours walking time.”

“i gotta space my trips out right now...too much driving and gotta save up some dough”

“ok. i'm real stoopid-like. :-( how far is springer from nashville?

mapquest isn't working for me right now.”

“About 240 miles.”

“'k.
thanks bittyboy :-)”

“You're welcome, yammy-poo...”

“I'm driving about 440 miles one way for this little overnighter.”

“Dude, you have to find a shipyard closer to the Appalachians...”

“can't go. like always friends think I have only time for them and have nothing else to do then to wait for them. (yes, I am p**t off)

a weekend without kids and I have to serve others.”

“am i going to have to drive over there and kick your friends' butts?? when are we gonna hike together again??”

“Well Gemini, ya slacker, we are your friends too! ;)

I'm going even if I have to hire a shuttle driver.”

“SS, FS42 (forest service road) runs the next to the AT through that section. You're never very far from it.

The last two times I was there, it was almost like a superhighway there was so much traffic. You probably wouldn't have any trouble hitching back to your truck.”

“bit - I don't want to have to depend on hitching Sunday morning.
I have a long drive back home and a Monday work day so I need to get back to my truck.”

“Forecast for Sat calls for 10% chance of rain with high of 82 and low of 60. Sunday is just about the same.
Come on people, let's get in the woods.”

“Whats the elevation chg for this hike? I might be able to make it after all SS.”

“karo - Come on down!
You have mail.”

“Hey yam, lets carpool to Springer Mtn. I think I can make it now that I'm not goin to Cumberland Gap. Come on, lets go hikin with ss.”

“Map of route
karo found this site. Good but dated info. Dang good maps.”

“Oh well, geocities didn't like my link.....”

“Georgia Trails site.
Click on "Appalachian Trail"
Click on "Section 1a"
Click on "click to enlarge" map”

“i don't know yet if i'm going or not......should know thursday or friday (i'm not good at planning that far in advance), but if i do go, i'm ALL for carpooling!”

“I had planned to drive up late Friday and camp at Amicalola State Park Friday night.
Just found out all the campgrounds in Amicalola Park are closed for renovations.
When I come up with Plan B I'll post it.”

“There is another state park not too far away. Actually, there are a couple, but Vogel is the one I'm thinking of.

Vogel State Park

It's near Neels Gap.”

“What is the best way to get there form Chattanooga? I'll be coming in from I-24 North.”

“I haven't come from that direction.
You might try MapsOnUs and type in Chattanooga, TN as the start and
Dahlonega, GA as the finish.”

“Best route is take I75 south into Georgia. At Dalton head east on US76 to Ellijay, then pick up Hwy 52 east which will take you past Amicalola Falls State Park and on to Dahlonega.

Total distance is about 100 miles, figure on 2.5 hours travel-time give or take a bit depending on how you drive rural highways.

Alternately, if you wanted to go to Vogel State Park, you might try taking I75 northeast out of Chattanooga to Cleveland TN, east on US64 (you drive up along the Ocoee river where the '96 summer olympic kayaking events were held) to the junction with US19 a few miles short of Murphy, NC, then head south on US19 through Blairsville, GA and to Vogel State Park. Distance is about 100 miles and it is a very pretty drive, but not for those who are uncomfortable on curvy roads. :)”

“what time are you planning on leaving??”

“Whenever you can get away Fri. I'm on Vac all week. If we can get away early Fri., I would like to try to flyfish, but that is not that critical. We could leave very early Sat morn. but that would make for a long day. BTW, SS I'm planning on sleeping on a hammock. I have a poncho for a fly, but I need a bug screen. I will pick up one at Academy sports today or tomorrow. If we meet on Fri. night who's up for steaks on the grill?”

“You've got mail.”