““Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees....” ― John Muir
I did the stairs at the falls in March 2014....did the Smokies in 2012. did Shannondoha in 1988. and other little sections over the years....
I will start above the falls in 2015 and I feel that "once is enough....." so, will I have done the trail or not....????
I say...."HIKE, THE HIKE YOU WANT...OR NEED."
There are wonders out there, now to find them.
Depends, we hiked that section in July and shuttled into Nimblewell Gap. Hiked to Hawk Mountain the first day then Gooch Mountain on day two. Hit Woody midday on day three. Hiking with three adults and four kids 12-15 years old, so mileage was set a bit short. Water was getting a bit hard to find at times. I like Nimblewell because it avoids the mile hike south to Springer then back North to FR 42, and it cuts the approach down to about two miles. I have hiked the approach on more than one occaision, and while it is not anything too crazy, it does seem like a pointless up to start things off with. I agree with the post that if you are through hiking, it is just another couple of miles but if oyu are sectioning, it may not be worth the time and effort. Hiker Hostel in Dahlonaga handled our shuttle and parking. No complaints on their service.
Driving to the top of a mountain is just wrong!
KK4VKZ -SOTA-SUMMITS ON THE AIR-
SUPPORT LNT
As someone who aspires to hike the AT southbound one day, I prefer to think of it as the "Exit Trail."
And yes, I hope to hike it.
One thing not to be overlooked is the fact that a hike from Amicalola Falls to Springer is a walk from the Piedmont Province to the Blue Ridge Province. There is a subtle but noticeable change in vegetation communities and, for long distance hikers, is the only time they'll set foot on the Piedmont during their entire trip. In this way, its literally a walk from the flatlands up into the mountains.
Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.
Most shuttle providers will charge you more to take you to the top of Springer. A thru-hike is about walking, so why not just walk to the top, by the approach trail.
During my thru I walked the approach trail. After about a hour of walking I stopped for a break and to think about my thru-hike. I considered giving up then and there. I re-grouped and promised myself to give it a try for at least a week. I ended up walking the whole trail.
Grampie-N->2001
on all three of my thru's I did sign the three mentioned registers, and on all three thru's I met people that signed them and people that didn't, I don't understand why signing these registers are so important to some folks you either sign them or you don't and the folks that didn't does that mean their thru didn't count.
approach trail you either hike it or you don't it's your decision.
these two topics is what everybody wanted to talk about on all three of my thru's, Why is these two topics so important to thru-hikers?