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  1. #1

    Default Starting at Amicalola?

    Hello all,

    Looking for suggestions on how to start a week long, GA only section hike heading NOBO. Do hikers typically start in Amicalola Falls, on Springer Mtn itself, or somewhere else. I am looking to get dropped off, but need to plan the different distances into my timeline.

    Thx, JGray

  2. #2
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    you can start at Amicalola Falls SP if you want, that's how I always go. They have safe parking there at the Park Visitor Center. If you get a ride, you could get dropped off at the Gap parking area on the Forest Service Rd about a mile north of Springer. If you have a whole week, I would start at the State Park, do the approach trail, see the waterfalls too. It's really up to you where you start.

  3. #3

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    I think it depends on if you want to hike the extra 8 miles of the Approach Trail. Other than that, other considerations would be (1) if you are leaving a car, AFSP is the safest trailhead in GA (although I leave a car at Springer for a week with no worries, (2) if you are being dropped off, AFSP is all paved roads, while Springer is a 13 mile roundtrip drive on an excellent forest service road, (3) if you paying for a shuttle I'd bet that AFSP would be a bit cheaper.

  4. #4

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    Since you asked, I'd say that most hikers "typically" start at Springer since the approach trail is blue blazed and is not "official" AT mileage. Shorter too.

  5. #5
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    I recently did a section starting at AFSP. My brother and I elected to start there because we were arriving late at night and there's a shelter (Max Epperson Shelter I think) right behind the visitor's center which is where you'll probably leave your car. We also enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the lodge as a pre-hike fuel up.

    With that said, the falls are about the only scenic item on the approach trail. After you reach the top of the falls, it's 7 more (mostly uphill) miles of woods with not much else to see.

  6. #6

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    It seems to me that most start at the parking lot just down the hill from the summit of Springer. That's why I always start at Amicalola State Park.

  7. #7
    Registered User Trebor66's Avatar
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    Since you are getting dropped off it mostly depends on what you and your ride want to do. If your ride doesn't mind driving on the FS road then I would get dropped off near Springer. Depending on your speed of course, you should be able to complete all of the AT in Georgia in 7 days.
    RIAP

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    Approach trail isnt hard, no reason to be afraid of it.
    Its a nice hike, takes 4-5 hrs.

    No particular reason to do it
    But no reason not to either
    Do what you prefer

    It makes the summit of Springer more rewarding to get to though.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
    Approach trail isnt hard, no reason to be afraid of it.
    Its a nice hike, takes 4-5 hrs.

    No particular reason to do it
    But no reason not to either
    Do what you prefer

    It makes the summit of Springer more rewarding to get to though.
    +1............

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