HIking GA Section A/T in Sept/Oct

[Bound and Determined]

I am planning to head to GA to begin section hiking for the first time.

I have several questions.

1. How many days will it take to do the GA section.
2. What is an excellent resource on that trail section regarding camps, maps, and tips.
3. When is the best time of year.


Thanks a lot!

D&B

[jburgasser]

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/

From the summit of Springer to the state line is 78.5 miles, according to http://www.atdist.com/atdist, add 7 miles to that for the first road crossing (forest Service Road 71 at Deep Gap; it is a 6 mile gravel road off of N.C. 64) north of the state line. If you do the Approach Trail then add another 8 miles from the Amicalola Falls State Park entrance. If you stay the night at the Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge (I highly recommend it!!) then start in the morning then the Approach Trail is only about 7 miles.

So, 80-85 miles...it is hard to say how long it will take you. My 60 year old father-in-law and I did it in 2 trips that took 9 days. But we were new to hiking then and now, knowing what we can do, it would take us 6-1/2 days. It depends on your fitness level, pack weight, body weight, and if you want to get to shelter sights each night or just camp when you find a clearing that has obviously been used for camping previously. It is your first time, so I would say 10 days. If you finish early you can always spend the extra time white water rafting! That is what we did this year.

That first link above is to the A.T. website. They have info on each state broken up by state separately. You can by your map and the A.T. guide book from the site also. I really like the guide book, it has proven to be a great source while on the trail. Just zerox the pages you will be using so you don't have to bring the whole book. The A.T. website has the best time of year for each state. It is probably getting warm there now. I think the website says for Georgia the best time of year is May thru October.

Good Luck!!

Ickybod

[moldy]

1. 4 to 6 days of easy hiking for most people. Your egress point will be deep gap, which will be an US Forest Service gated but open dirt road that any car can make.
2. Excellent reference book for this section is one of these. A. Appalachian Trail Data book. B. Thru-hikers companion. C. AWOL's guide to the Appalachian Trail. These books are available on-line.
3. In this area October is far better than September. Don't expect good Fall colors until after 10 October. This time of year has very few insects. Early September is very green with little light making it to the forrest floor with fewer views and it's also a little buggy and snakey. September can also have more dried up water sources.

[MkBibble]

My first attempt ended with knee trouble because I tried to start too fast (and left my poles at the hotel...). Start slow and break often - even if you don't feel too tired. The steep slopes and added weight can do a number on your knees! Springer to Woody was done in early September, and it was hot. Woody to Deep Gap was done in early October - in a cold rain the entire trip...
1) Springer to Deep Gap took me 8 days.
2) I like the AT Guide, but you will get many opinions here. The Georgia AT Club is a good source of FREE info ( http://www.georgia-atclub.org/ ).
3) I THINK (again, you will get lots of opinions) it would be best to avoid mid-summer. Shoot for May (oops...) or late September/early October.

All of the above is of course, IMHO. ANY time you are out there will be great. Have fun!

[jburgasser]

1. 4 to 6 days of easy hiking for most people.

Moldy, don't you think 4 - 6 days is too ambitious "for most people"? Especially a first timer?
That Forest Service Road 71 to Deep Gap is closed in Winter; like late Nov to Jan; not an issue from May to October.

Ickybod

[moldy]

Yes, think I may have mis-spoken. That is what I get for working too fast. Perhaps 7 or 8 days is a better answer. I apologize. Those young fast bucks can make it in 4.

[Bound and Determined]

I did the Max Patch to Lemon Gap trail recently. Though the trail is a little over 5 miles, I had to walk from the cabin to and from the trailheads. The road (max patch) was gravel and uphill just about all the hike home. The total distance was 13.6 miles. I did that in close to 6 hours. I am realistically thinking 15 miles a day from Amicocola to NC... I am not the youngest buck nor the lightest. However, I seem to have no problem scaling steep inclines. I am not familiar with the Southern Terminus and it Georgia summits. That mileage estimate indicates 6 days. From what I am reading...I might as well have the trail name "Dreamer" LOL.

[glessed]

For me, age was also a factor. I was 67 when I started at Springer. I was always happy to do 8 miles a day. But then again, I took advantage of breaks every couple of hours. I found the mountains in GA to be a great introduction to the challenges of the trail. You never really know when you are going to be on top of each mountain. When you think you are close, you can still be 45 minutes away. It's great!