What is approach?

[Brett]

No stupid questions right? Ive seen the question...taking approach? approach trail? Someone please shine a bit of light on the obvious for me...thanks!

[Lone Wolf]

it's the 8 mile blue-blazed side trail that takes you to the beginning/end of the AT on springer mtn. one of several ways to get there

[FatMan]

There are two ways to reach Springer; 1) the 8.8 mile Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls, and 2) Backtrack the AT for .9 miles from the Springer Parking lot on USFS 42.

[plmitche]

The approach trail is the approx. 8 mile trail in GA that takes you to the beginning of the A.T. on top of Springer Mtn.

Basically it's the trail to get to THE trail

Preston

[Serial 07]

it's 8.8 miles of trail from amacalola parking lot/ranger/tourist mug buying station to the actual beginning of the trail on top of springer...it's tough if you are out of shape and carrying a ton of weight...but it's worth doing, one more night on the trail...

[Lone Wolf]

or the BMT. or parachute

[JTCruiser]

The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is on top of Springer Mountain. There are at least a couple of ways to get to it in order to begin the trail (if you are hiking northbound). One way is to hike up along the approach trail to Springer Mountain which starts at the visitor's center of Amicalola Falls State Park and is 8.3 miles (13.4 km) in length. There is also another trail, leading from a parking lot on a forest service road (FS42), that is .9 miles one way. I believe that one can park long-term at the visitor's center, which is one reason to start there. Another reason might be that some people consider the approach trail an important part of the total AT experience.

[Brett]

lol...thanks for the quick response everyone. I think ill take the approach...I run about 4 miles once or twice a week and work in a job that requires lots of walking/climbing/crawling in tight spaces with probably about 15 lbs of gear. so not really worried about being in shape enough. Thanks again!

[fancyfeet]

You can also get there by driving to Nimblewill Gap and joining the approach trail there, 2.1 miles from Springer. I like the approach trail though. It's wooded and hilly. Not really tough as far as trail goes, just tough for beginners who aren't used to hiking.

[Blissful]

The Approach trail is a neat walk. Have fun.

[Tinker]

It's a tradition to some. When the AT was originally laid out, it started at Mt. Oglethorpe farther south. When the area surrounding the orig. terminus got overdeveloped, they moved it to the top of Springer. The approach trail is part of the original trail from Oglethorpe, I've been told. You don't have to do it if you don't want to. Walking from the top of Springer to the top of Katahdin (most people add "in one trip" or "in one calendar year") makes one a thruhiker. How you do it otherwise is up to you.

[Lone Wolf]

Another reason might be that some people consider the approach trail an important part of the total AT experience.

so is quitting at Neel Gap cuz of "bad knees"
sorry. just a fact

[kayak karl]

so is quitting at Neel Gap cuz of "bad knees"
sorry. just a fact

did the approach on 12/31, killed my left knee, at Neel Gap now. knee feels better. still glad i hiked the approach from the visitor,s center.

[Lone Wolf]

did the approach on 12/31, killed my left knee, at Neel Gap now. knee feels better. still glad i hiked the approach from the visitor,s center.

say hi to pirate for me. tell him quincy's will be open soon. glad you're doin' good

[Just Plain Jim]

Taking the Approach trail gives you the opportunity to
1. sign in at the Visitors Center.
2. Use indoor plumbing for the last time
for 3 or 4 days.
3. Walk through the "Arch" and onto the trail.

[Marta]

Howdy, Kayak Karl! So glad to hear you're feeling better. Good luck on the next bit of trail.

This should cheer you up--after being so all-fired set on racing to Neels Gap and getting home, Elena could barely walk yesterday. She was fine by this afternoon, though. Kids...

[Lone Wolf]

Taking the Approach trail gives you the opportunity to
1. sign in at the Visitors Center.
2. Use indoor plumbing for the last time
for 3 or 4 days.
3. Walk through the "Arch" and onto the trail.

yeah so....

[Tinker]

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2...59664855nPVUJM

The Arch makes for a nice photo.

[Lone Wolf]

back in the day there was no stinkin' arch

[Tinker]

Back in the day there wasn't an AT for that matter......or thruhikers, or trail angels, or shelters........etc.
It's a person's choice on where they want to start their hike, where they want to sleep, who they hike with, etc.
The original AT had many more roadwalking miles and much of it wasn't protected. I doubt many of us would like to go back "in the day".