Section Hike in Late May

[txulrich]

Ok, so a friend of mine, his son and I are planning to section hike Georgia in late May. The original plan was to hike S to N and stay at the Blueberry Patch when we are done. I confirmed today that they close at the end of April, so this is not possible.

I have relatives in the Dahlonega area, so lodging and transportation help are taken care of.

To my questions:

1. Instead of the Blueberry Patch, where would you recommend we stay? We may need to leave a vehicle there for the week. Do they shuttle to and from the trail?

2. Would it be better to hike N to S. (The Smith House in Dahlonega would be a great way to finish!)

3. If hiking N to S, is there parking near the approach trail terminus? Is there a fee? If yes, how much?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[MoodyBluer]

See below..

Ok, so a friend of mine, his son and I are planning to section hike Georgia in late May. The original plan was to hike S to N and stay at the Blueberry Patch when we are done. I confirmed today that they close at the end of April, so this is not possible.

I have relatives in the Dahlonega area, so lodging and transportation help are taken care of.

To my questions:

1. Instead of the Blueberry Patch, where would you recommend we stay? We may need to leave a vehicle there for the week. Do they shuttle to and from the trail?

Cloud 9 hostel is 1-2 miles back up the road towards Dicks Creek Gap and is even closer to the trail. Luxurious compared to Blueberry Patch (Hot Tub, etc...) Search White Blaze & you'll run across their website link. Stayed there one nite last May while sectioning and had Frank serve me smoked trout!

2. Would it be better to hike N to S. (The Smith House in Dahlonega would be a great way to finish!)

Doesn't matter really because after you finish Ga section (S-N) most folks head back south towards Atlanta and pass near the Smith House again. If you like AYCE like Smith House, you could finish S-N in Ga. and then go to Dillard House restaurant in Dillard, Ga just south of the NC line.

3. If hiking N to S, is there parking near the approach trail terminus? Is
there a fee? If yes, how much?

Never parked there myself, but you can park at Amicaloa State Park at the end of the approach trail (N-S) for small fee.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[peanuts]

parking at amicalola is $3 per day or $30 for a yearly pass.

[Frosty]

parking at amicalola is $3 per day or $30 for a yearly pass.Is that a recent change? Last March I paid $3 for two weeks.

[peanuts]

:ooops, sorry i meant to say just $3. $3 per day is if you drive there on a daily basis.:o:o

[tiamalle]

Ok, so a friend of mine, his son and I are planning to section hike Georgia in late May. The original plan was to hike S to N and stay at the Blueberry Patch when we are done. I confirmed today that they close at the end of April, so this is not possible.

I have relatives in the Dahlonega area, so lodging and transportation help are taken care of.

To my questions:

1. Instead of the Blueberry Patch, where would you recommend we stay? We may need to leave a vehicle there for the week. Do they shuttle to and from the trail?

2. Would it be better to hike N to S. (The Smith House in Dahlonega would be a great way to finish!)

3. If hiking N to S, is there parking near the approach trail terminus? Is there a fee? If yes, how much?

Thanks for any help you can give.http://www.upperhightowertrout.com/hikers.html Here is Cloud 9's link.They are open year around and has parking and will shuttle you to the trail,

[txulrich]

Thanks for the quick replies. I checked with Cloud 9. At the time of our hike, they are no longer in hostel mode, but have switched to resort mode. Their prices jumped to over $100 per night. They will let me park there for $5 for the week.

I'm thinking about Hiawasee Inn, Holiday Inn or Ramada.