Is starting the trail at Springer Mountain cheating?

[Fletchlives1234]

Just spoken to a guy called Survivor Dave and he informed me that the offical start to the trail is at Springer and Amicalola falls is just the approach. He said that there are 100's of steps on the approach and do I really want to get my arse kicked on the first day. When it's not even part of the AT!

How many peeps start directly at Springer v's Amicalola falls? Any advice on the best way to start as I will be coming from the Uk would be much appreciated.

I thought it best to stay in Atlanta / North Springs for my first night before heading off to either the Hiker hostel / the trail. Any good recomendations??

Kind Regards,

Fletchlives

[The Solemates]

Starting at springer is cheating. you won't get your medal.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Honestly, you're contemplating thru-hiking and are worried about having to hike uphill? You're going to basically get your arse kicked - or not - anyway within the first few days.

[Hill Ape]

only sissies don't climb the 600 stairs and pass under the arch, there are warnings for those with heart conditions. you're not a sissy are you?! ;-)

seriously, the view is worth it, and you may realize you hate climbing, better sooner than later. but there are alternatives as well, there is a road to the top of the falls, puts you at the beginning of the approach trail (don't underestimate that 8 miles either) or fs 42 to the base of springer, backtrack to the peak to "touch" the first blaze, and start your thru

[SouthMark]

Bull$hit, it is not part of the trail. It is not required to complete the trail and receive the 2000 miler patch and certificate. It is entirely up to the individual whether they want to hike it or not. In the overall scheme of things it's not much but don't let the macho attitude of some influence you. It has absolutely nothing to do with being a sissy or not. It's kind of like running a marathon and starting a mile behind the starting line. Hike Your Own Hike, not anyone else's idea of the hike.

[Greenlight]

Okay, you have a point. But think about it. It's only 8 miles. And if you get there the night before, you can spend your last night in a real bed, get a really nice breakfast, and feel like you have actually started FROM somewhere, instead of at the end of a bumpy forest service road that may or may not tear the muffler off the car you're in. When I do my thru, I'm starting from the approach trail. Just because. Once I've triple-crowned, when someone asks me if I did the approach, I'll just make a little Tim the Toolman Taylor grunt and give the asker a noogie.

[Wolf - 23000]

The official starts or end of the AT is the top of Springer Mountain. Yes Amicalola Falls is a side trail to the AT. It is also a very beautiful trail, well worth the hike up. If you hike a few extra miles big deal. It will take a couple hours to hike up. It boils down to what is your goal for hiking the AT. Is it to walk from Springer Mount to Mount Katahdin or is it to hike in the woods. I know several hikers that spent some extra $$$ just to avoid hiking what use to be the old AT.

The Amicalola Falls Trail use to be the official AT. This is back when Earl Shaffer hiked the trail when the trail officially started on the top of Mount Oglethorpe - just south of Springer Mt.

Wolf

[Hill Ape]

ok, for the record, i was commenting sarcastically... my most sincere apologies to anyone offended by my feeble attempt at humor

[Sierra2015]

ok, for the record, i was commenting sarcastically... my most sincere apologies to anyone offended by my feeble attempt at humor

I saw the wink.

To the OP: In the end I don't think it matters what you do, you're going to get your ass kicked countless times and one +/- day of ass kicking is insignificant. But if you want to squeeze in an extra experience then you might just want to hike it.

[SouthMark]

ok, for the record, i was commenting sarcastically... my most sincere apologies to anyone offended by my feeble attempt at humor

Sorry Hill Ape, I missed the wink.

[HikerMom58]

Sorry Hill Ape, I missed the wink.

I'm tellin ya.. those emoticons are important!

[Hill Ape]

I'm tellin ya.. those emoticons are important!

oh well aren't you ladies talented, next you'll be using a dancing banana, i emot the old fashioned way, i type it out... just don't ask me to write cursive, i look illiterate

[KCNC]

ok, for the record, i was commenting sarcastically... my most sincere apologies to anyone offended by my feeble attempt at humor

Ten demerits.

You have to hike the approach trail backwards as atonement.

[Slo-go'en]

I hiked the approch trail but started at the lodge so I skipped climbing up the falls.

Rather then staying at the hiker hostel or in Atlanta, you could have Dave drive you up to the Amicalola falls lodge and stay there. If you get there early enough, hike the falls just to streach your legs. The next day hike up the approch from the lodge (however, it is a little tricky to find the trail from the lodge, I wandered around for a good 10 minutes before I found it).

From the lodge, the rest of the approch trail is a fairly gental up hill climb and is a pleasent walk. I'd do it again.

[Toon]

I hiked the approch trail but started at the lodge so I skipped climbing up the falls.

Rather then staying at the hiker hostel or in Atlanta, you could have Dave drive you up to the Amicalola falls lodge and stay there. If you get there early enough, hike the falls just to streach your legs. The next day hike up the approch from the lodge (however, it is a little tricky to find the trail from the lodge, I wandered around for a good 10 minutes before I found it).

From the lodge, the rest of the approch trail is a fairly gental up hill climb and is a pleasent walk. I'd do it again.

I got a camp site in the park. Did exactly what Slo-go'en said. Hike the stairs with no bag the night before it took about 20 minutes. Then you start above the stairs it's a really great spot to start in the morning.

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[HikerMom58]

I got a camp site in the park. Did exactly what Slo-go'en said. Hike the stairs with no bag the night before it took about 20 minutes. Then you start above the stairs it's a really great spot to start in the morning.

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Perfect Toon... that's how I would do it too! I think it would be a nice way to "warm up".

Slo is right about having a hard time finding the trail from the lodge. We wanted to walk up the trail for a short while with "the girl". We looked & looked for the trail & finally found it. That was in April of 2010... WOW! Time flies!

[Mags]

Much like a bad cold, this thread pops up a lot.

I honestly think this is the best answer: What is the best for the person driving you to the start of your hike?

If they want a pleasant drive with easy logistics, hike the extra 3-4 hrs and enjoy a classic hike up to Springer Mtn.

If your driver wants to see the start of the historic Appalachian Trail, then go to US42 (if the road is open).

[Lone Wolf]

Just spoken to a guy called Survivor Dave and he informed me that the offical start to the trail is at Springer

it's not a test so there is no "cheating". the official AT starts/ends at Springer

[lonehiker]

It is not cheating. Springer is the southern terminus.

[Feral Bill]

So, do SOBOs hike down the approach trail?