Backpacking in GA to test gear and myself before AT?

[Indigo Hawk]

Does anyone have some excellent trails in GA for gear testing and a bit of practice? I've picked out some day hikes and two or three weekend backpacking hikes here in FL but only two have something other than flat terrain. I was thinking of hiking the Florida Trail but I'm wanting to save that to do later. I can easily drive to GA and was hoping for a trail or two (preferably loops but if not that's cool) to hike before hitting the AT in 2018.

[dudeijuststarted]

Hate to state the obvious but the southern terminus of the AT is in Georgia. Just go there and start walking.

[Indigo Hawk]

I know and one of the PRE-AT hikes I was thinking of testing my gear on. I was hoping for something with a similar feel to the AT that I could hike a few days on. Loops are preferred. (I cannot just go there and start walking.)

[skater]

If you're looking for a loop, there are several you can do from Springer using the Benton MacKaye trail which intersects the AT in several points. Or do the AT/Duncan Ridge/BMT loop (a.k.a. the Georgia Loop), which is an excellent test of your gear and preparedness.

[Indigo Hawk]

If you're looking for a loop, there are several you can do from Springer using the Benton MacKaye trail which intersects the AT in several points. Or do the AT/Duncan Ridge/BMT loop (a.k.a. the Georgia Loop), which is an excellent test of your gear and preparedness.

The Georgia Loop sounds like what I'm looking for! Thank you!

[Abatis1948]

A couple of good loops at https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Torreya. These trails are the closest thing to match the AT in Florida. You can do these trails at Torreya almost any time and then move up to the AT when the weather is not as cold as it will be in the next few months.

[ScareBear]

You CAN go there and "just start hiking". There are plenty of reasonable shuttle services. Try out one of the hiker hostels between Dahlonega and Fontana Dam. Plenty of very challenging trails. Some great hikes are the up to the bald and down the other side of Cheoah with NOC as your base, or up Jacob's Ladder and across the ridgetop and down into Fontana. You can leave your vehicle there and they will pick you up and bring you back for a reasonable fee or no fee at all. For training purposes, its hard NOT to find very challenging terrain on the AT between Cooper's Gap and Fontana Dam....YMMV

[RockDoc]

good idea to do this... If more people did serious trials there would be fewer crash and burns before Fontana.

[Indigo Hawk]

You CAN go there and "just start hiking". There are plenty of reasonable shuttle services.

No. I cannot. I'm not willing to do a shuttle service at the moment and I have other factors besides that.

[Dogwood]

I used to live in Tampa(Temple Terrace) and attended University of S. Florida. I would wear a backpack and power walk/hike across, up, over, and back on the Howard Franklin and Gandy Bridges on weeknights and early mornings that mimicked climbing and descending conditions on trails. Not much elevation change bit still trail hiking I'd hike along the Hillsborough River at Hillsborough River SP doing an out and back 11 mile day hike double loop overnighting at the Backpackers CG on the Florida Tr Loop portion that included the named Florida Tr, Baynard Nature Tr, and other Nature Trails http://suncoast.floridatrail.org/web/hrsp_map.php. Additionally, not to be assumed is easy, I had a old backpack I weighed down with about 25 lbs keeping the hip belt undone I'd hike in the Gulf around Indian Rocks Beach in about 3-4 ft of water with small 2-3 waves hitting me just 50-100 ft off the beach. To this day I recognize that training to have helped me with my footwork and balance while backpacking. I'd also run steps at the USF Sun Dome and other steps across the USF campus. I did the same in downtown Tampa hiking along the river and out to Ybor City and back to Tampa University across several bridges.

It is my sincere opinion that training on hilly dedicated single track trails is not absolutely warranted if one wants to train for backpacking.

[ScareBear]

No. I cannot. I'm not willing to do a shuttle service at the moment and I have other factors besides that.

Not willing or financially unable? Because, I don't get unwilling. I get financially unable.

Sigh. There's this thing....something....Indian.....something.....loo p.....do some homework and you will find what you are looking for. A good place to start would be to google "northern georgia loop hikes"...

[jfconnolly2]

Something a little closer to home would be FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

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[Gambit McCrae]

I know and one of the PRE-AT hikes I was thinking of testing my gear on. I was hoping for something with a similar feel to the AT that I could hike a few days on. Loops are preferred. (I cannot just go there and start walking.)

How about the AT?

[AO2134]

Georgia has the Bartram Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail and the Pinhoti Trail. I've section hiked all three. The Bartram Trail may be a good choice if you wish to "save" the AT for your thru attempt.

The Foothills Trail in SC is another good option.

Bartram Trail is about 112 miles. BMT is about 286 miles. Pinhoti Trail is about 335 miles. The Foothills Trail is about 77 miles.

[jcreamer]

To limit your driving time there are a few places in South Georgia that provide weekend loops/trails for hiking.
I second the Pine Mountain Trail if you are looking for a quick long weekend hike (although it can be done easily two days). Some ups and downs, nice scenery, and afterward you can visit the Little White House. Also, there is the Little Grand Canyon (Providence Canyon State Park) in southwest GA. It is also a quick weekend loop but would be a good gear shake down. It's also kind of scenic and significantly different topography than anything else you will find in the southern part of Georgia.
Living i FL I am sure you are aware of Torreya State Park near Tallahassee. There are two loops. One is called the "challenge loop" and it is just that - challenging. Not real scenic but the west loop is adjacent to the river and is very pretty. Also some good ups and downs here too.
Good luck.
JC

[Indigo Hawk]

Not willing or financially unable? Because, I don't get unwilling. I get financially unable.

Sigh. There's this thing....something....Indian.....something.....loo p.....do some homework and you will find what you are looking for. A good place to start would be to google "northern georgia loop hikes"...

Dude, I don't like your tone. I've got reasons that are not your business and I don't have to justify myself to you. And I did google, extensively, but I like hearing from people who have personal experience.

[Indigo Hawk]

Thank you so much for the respectful and polite response with actual answers. I've jotted a few down (included the ones in FL) for my list.

[Dogwood]

No problem from me. You're very welcome. Enjoy your training.

[egilbe]

Dude, I don't like your tone. I've got reasons that are not your business and I don't have to justify myself to you. And I did google, extensively, but I like hearing from people who have personal experience.

There is no tone to the written word. Its all in your own head. Try to lighten up and enjoy your time here. The snark comes with the territory and its free.

[ScareBear]

Dude, I don't like your tone. I've got reasons that are not your business and I don't have to justify myself to you. And I did google, extensively, but I like hearing from people who have personal experience.

You don't like my tone?

You said you were unwilling. I don't understand "unwilling". Unable, yes. Unwilling, no. You are unable but unwilling to share why? Just grow a pair and say so, instead of disliking my tone.

You could have clarified, you were never asked to justify.

You don't have to explain yourself to anyone. The easiest way not to be bothered by people is not to talk to people. Don't ask questions. Don't seek advice.

I gave you advice. If you would have bothered, you would have found that I pointed you to one of the best loops involving the AT, just past Georgia. Actually...the best loop I have found.

Here's some more advice....a guy walks into a bar and asks for directions...the first barfly says "Go right at the light" the second barfly says "Go left at the light" the third barfly says "Go look at a map, if you want to be sure". The guy who asked for directions turns to the third barfly and says "I don't like your tone! I was just asking for directions" The third barfly replies, "Well, then follow his directions", not pointing to either of the other barflies....