Notable Points Amicalola GA - Atkins VA

[Track3307]

Good Morning All,

I will be section hiking from Atkins, VA to Amicalola SP, GA from Labor day weekend until October. I have been using AWOL's guide to plan the trip and wanted to make sure I included notable points along the trail to experience (History, Sights, etc). If there are any special places that you particularly enjoy and would recommend along that section I would greatly appreciate your input.

thanks much!

[Gambit McCrae]

That's a large area to cover notable points lol
Partnership shelter
Grayson highlands
buzzards roost
Damascus
Osborn farm
wilburn dam laurel falls
Dennis cove/ Kincora hostel/ Bob Peaples
Mountaineer falls/ shelter
Mountain Home B&B Hostel/ Breakfast
Roan Highlands
Roan High Knob
Cloudland Historic hotel site
Greasy Creek Friendly
Nolichucky River
Big Bald
Black stack cliffs
Firescald knob
Lovers Leap
Hot Springs/ Iron Horse Station Burger and beer/ laughing heart B&B
Max Patch
Standing bear
Charlies Bunion
Clingmans dome
Gatlinburg
thunderhead
Rockytop
Spence field
Mollies ridge shelter(personal likeable spot)
Fontana village(Fontana shelter)
cheoah Bald
NOC
Wesser Firetower
Wayah Bald
Albert Mountain
Indian Mountain/ CG
Bly Gap
Georgia

[Track3307]

Thank you Gambit! I will make sure I include those in my planning

Still looking for any more culturally/historically significant sites if anyone has any more suggestions!

[Gambit McCrae]

Thank you Gambit! I will make sure I include those in my planning

Still looking for any more culturally/historically significant sites if anyone has any more suggestions!

Most of the things I mentioned are just iconic spots ON or along the trail, if you will be walking it, you will most definitely see them. Some are side trails worth stopping at, or short road walks. The only more culturally inclined subjects I can think of is:

At the beginning of your journey, on the third Sunday of the month the Amish community does baptisms in a river along or really close to the trail. If you would like more info on this call Skip and Linda in Atkins Skip knows all about it and loves spreading the word about it. They are open to visitors, just no filming.

I was going to mention that the White church at US 52 Bland is a snake handling church, they dance with rattlers. They also don't mind if you watch but I don't think you will be crossing there.

I forgot to mention the hot springs, IN Hot Springs NC.

[JumpMaster Blaster]

There are quite a few gravesites and remains of old homesteads along the way. Shelton Graves is one you'll walk right by at mi 303. Moye's Rest is a monument to the family that donated a chunk of land near Spivey's Gap to the USFS for the trail. It's near mile 316, right after Sam's Gap (SOBO). Of course there's the historic Cloudland Hotel site on Roan Mtn, the Nick Grindstaff monument (mi 444), plane crash site and wreckage in the Smokies at mile 225.9 and old homestead ruins at mi 463.

I suggest you download the Guthook's app for your phone- it'll go into a little more detail about the historical spots, then maybe you can do some pre-hike reasearch on it.

[JumpMaster Blaster]

Just noticed you said Labor Day, so you have time to research. Check out the book "Appalachian Trail Names". I saw it at the Woodchuck hostel and always wanted to get a copy. Another good study guide is to just get the official ATC trail guides for each section. I think you could get away with just the SW Virginia, North Carolina- Tennessee, and the North Carolina-Georgia books. Very very informative AND they come with maps.

[Track3307]

Gambit,

Thank you for all of the help! I have added all of your suggestions to the itinerary and am looking forward to checking them out

JumpMaster,

I will pick up those guides and the book for sure

Once again thank you all for the help!

[kenp]

I was going to mention that the White church at US 52 Bland is a snake handling church, they dance with rattlers. They also don't mind if you watch but I don't think you will be crossing there.

What the what now!? Dance with rattlers? I've started/ended couple of section hikes near there and occasionally go past there, but never heard of this. Is this 'spectacle' open to the public?