Springer Mountain 11-28-03

“I'm headed to Atlanta for Thanksgiving and my brother is coming up from Florida to meet me. We are planning on hiking Springer Mountain from Amicalola falls on Friday. I've checked the web and hiking times and distances seem to vary with every site I visit. Can anyone give me an acurate trail report and hiking time?
Thanks.”

“according to the thru hikers handbook by dan "wingfoot" bruce, from the visitors center to the summit of springer is 8.8 miles. easily do-able in 4-5 hours”

“i would allow about 8-10 hrs for the roundtrip, unless youre going to overnight it. theres a shelter at the top and plenty of tentsites on and near the summit

you can cut 1.2 miles off the trip by starting at amicalola lodge road”

“I was just at Amicolola yesterday and the sign just after the stone arch says that the hike takes roughly 6.5 hours one-way (this may be geared for touristy hikers).”

“you sure that wasnt round trip?”

“you sure that wasnt round trip?

100% sure -- I was there in October. Sign is indicating ONE-WAY time. Can it be done in 4-5 hours one-way? Yep if you keep a strong pace and minimal breaks. Figure that sign is for the "average" hiker. I would definitely allow for 10-12 hours round-trip; which means bring some means of lighting your way. Dahlonega sunrise/sunset for 11/28 is 7:21am/5:26pm.”

“We were guessing at about 10 hours round trip and we were going to start at 6-6:30 in the morning. Is it a steep and rugged trail or is it well maintained? I'm debating if I need to pack my hiking poles. I've got a tender knee but it's usually fine except for long steep downhills.”

“The first mile or so to the top of the falls is VERY steep. Beyond that I didn't think it was so bad.

Bring the poles.”

“I know a father and grown son team that did it as a two niter.

They were sub-average...”

“hell, jo.

half the folks out there are sub-average.”

“2 niter? o man

i started at the lodge road, which cuts the first (and most difficult) 1.2 miles out, at 845 am and was at springer shelter before 130 pm, with a 45 minute lunch break, and i am by no stretch of the imagination a fast hiker, especially uphill

even adding the extra mileage, you should be able to make it up in 5, down in 4 no problem

if nothing else. plan to turn around 4 hours before sunset

even better, camp on the summit”