Amicalola to Springer

[jnanagardener]

I am planning a NOBO in 2011. How many people start their thru-hike at Amicalola Falls (even if it is not technically part of the AT)? What is this 8-mile hike like? Thanks for your responses.

[mateozzz]

I just did GA section this spring and had to do the approach trail "because it was there". A very pleasant hike, mostly uphill but not bad, and a nice wide trail. Plus you get to see the falls and the ranger station, so I thought it was important to do. Unfortunately the 400 or so steps up the falls aggravated my knees so take it easy if you're starting off in less than awesome shape!

[Survivor Dave]

I just did GA section this spring and had to do the approach trail "because it was there". A very pleasant hike, mostly uphill but not bad, and a nice wide trail. Plus you get to see the falls and the ranger station, so I thought it was important to do. Unfortunately the 400 or so steps up the falls aggravated my knees so take it easy if you're starting off in less than awesome shape!

604 steps........

[jnanagardener]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. I didn't know the 604 steps were part of Amicalola.

[Lyle]

Even with the steps it isn't a bad hike up. Not nearly as bad as it's reputation would have most believe. No worse, really, than any other extended uphill. Close up views of the falls were nice. Plenty of places to rest on the stairs, so no need to strain your knees.

[STICK]

My fiance and I are hiking out of Amicalola September 4th. We want to do the approach trail, even though many people have advised against it. We are planning on taking it easy the whole way though. We are hiking to Dicks Creek Gap.
Hope you have a great hike, one day we are planning on a thru hike. This will be kinda a hey this is it kinda thing! We cant wait!

[matt p]

have you hiked any of the trail ?

[STICK]

We havent. Thats why we are not planning big mile days and are just going to take it day by day. But we will have soon!!

[Ekul]

There is a trail that does not require you to go up the 600+ steps. Just ask the attendant at the station. Extended uphill for the approach trail is an accurate discription.

[mateozzz]

I would recommend slackpacking the steps (no pack) to avoid any problems, then from the top to Springer isn't too bad.

[jnanagardener]

Again, thanks for the replies. STICK mentioned that many people "have advised against" the Amicalola approach trail to Springer. Any reasons for this?

[Dances with Mice]

The Approach Trail is a nice trail worth walking even if it didn't end at the Terminus. The climb to the Terminus from the south is much nicer than from the north.

I have no idea why people would rather endure an uncomfortable car ride to avoid it.

[zeus307]

The hike up to spinger is fun! It ain't easy, but it ain't that bad. Like it has been said before here, it is mostly up hill. I was tuckered near the end but I felt very rewarded to do it because it was there. The falls are very nice and the steps, just put one foot infront of the other. Take your time, it is very beautiful!

[Tinker]

There is a trail that does not require you to go up the 600+ steps. Just ask the attendant at the station. Extended uphill for the approach trail is an accurate discription.

That's good, because I certainly don't remember a bunch of steps. I did the approach in '06, pretty much out of shape, and I only found it moderately difficult.

[bigcranky]

The approach trail was rerouted to climb straight up the falls. Lots of steps. When we did Georgia sobo in March, I met several thru hikers coming up the stairs with humongous packs. If it were me, I would have someone take my pack to the top of the falls.

The approach trail is nice, and a good way to get to the start.

[Cookerhiker]

I sorta did the Approach Trail when I hiked from Springer to Franklin in '04. But my hiking partner and I stayed at the Amicalola Lodge at the top of the Falls and started up the trail from there. We had arrived the night before in dark and left the next morning from the lodge so we skipped about a mile and several hundred feet of elevation. My hiking partner was thruhiking and didn't even go down to register & weigh his pack; we didn't even think about it.

I found the Approach Trail a miniature version of all of Georgia - mostly up and down. I enjoyed it.

PS - He finished his thruhike.

[Tinker]

These: http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...?i=23677&c=712
were not on the Approach Trail in 2006. If they were, I missed them.

[STICK]

I like the idea of slackpacking the steps, and I wouldnt feel that I cheated doing that since we are planning on stoping at the top of the falls aft the Lodge for the ayce buffet!. If only I can feel safe about having someone bring our pack up for us though.....that would be an awful way to start to have your pack jacked before you even begin!!
Anyway, we may look into that when we get there. We will be arriving late, close to midnight the night before so I dont know what we will do. We are just planning to pitch a small tent on the campgrounds and not even unpack our packs since it will be so late, so that the morning will be easier on us!
I am almost shocked to hear so many people say that they enjoyed the approach trail. I have been told numerous times to just start at Springer and save a day, but for some reason, I dont want to. I like the way Dances with Mice put it:

I have no idea why people would rather endure an uncomfortable car ride to avoid it.

Anyway, Brnadt wherever you start, I hope you have a great hike!!

[Dances with Mice]

Anyway, we may look into that when we get there. We will be arriving late, close to midnight the night before so I dont know what we will do. We are just planning to pitch a small tent on the campgrounds and not even unpack our packs since it will be so late, so that the morning will be easier on us!

2 things:

You're aware that the Max Epperson shelter is available for hikers to do exactly as you described? It's located directly behind the Visitor's Center - walk around back follow the trail through the arch, uphill 30'ish yards, then it will be on the left. Free.

I don't know if you're bringing a car. If so the long term parking lot is directly across the street from the Visitor's Center. $3, unless they've raised the rates, to park there. That's total, not per day.

[STICK]

Dances with Mice, that is what we are doing, (I think). I have called a couple weeks back and have reserved a campsite. And yes, we are driving to the Park and we are leaving our truck in the parking lot. We are leaving after we get off work Thursday afternoon and we are about 6 hours away (plus the time change, +1) so it will be late when we get there.....
Now that I reread your post, I see you were talking about a shelter, and free. Thats not what we did, we got a campsite, and paid $23! HHmmmm.....where is the campsites located? Hopefully near the start of the trail...???