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henry g wilgo
04-19-2013, 08:01
NO RESPONDS FOR (2) DAYS AFTER CALLING,(AND SENDING AN E-MAIL TO SCHEDULE A PICK UP FROM TRAIN STATION, IN GAINSVILLE,GEORGIA..

FURTHER PLANNING CAN NOT PROCEED UNTIL I ESTABLISH PICK UP AND LODGIING,,(TRANSPORTATION TO SPRINGER MT)

PLAN...AMTRAK TO GAINSVILLE ETA,,,8 AM MAY 18 2013.

NEED SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND PLACE TO STAY, (INORDER TO START MY 1ST HIKE)**
THANKYOU ALL ALL.....i have gained a wealth of knowledge from all the post and readings, very helpful to making my first hike..:-?

Don H
04-19-2013, 08:09
They are probably very busy. You have a month before you leave, keep trying to get in touch with them. If you get down to two weeks before your start and you still haven't heard from them then I'd make different arrangements. An alternative plan would be to get a shuttle to Springer or Amicalola and spend your first night on the trail.

Jefe
04-19-2013, 08:13
Step 1: find the caps lock key and press it once. Oh it looks like you did that. You are all set now.

Mizirlou
04-19-2013, 09:00
NO RESPONDS FOR (2) DAYS AFTER CALLING,(AND SENDING AN E-MAIL TO SCHEDULE A PICK UP FROM TRAIN STATION, IN GAINSVILLE,GEORGIA..

FURTHER PLANNING CAN NOT PROCEED UNTIL I ESTABLISH PICK UP AND LODGIING,,(TRANSPORTATION TO SPRINGER MT)
PLAN...AMTRAK TO GAINSVILLE ETA,,,8 AM MAY 18 2013.
.....i have gained a wealth of knowledge from all the post and readings, very helpful to making my first hike..:-?

Looks like you made it.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=408471

max patch
04-19-2013, 09:12
Looks like you made it.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=408471

Thats not him.

slbirdnerd
04-19-2013, 09:24
I have found the Saints to be very responsive. I'm sure there is an explanation.

ChuckBrown
04-19-2013, 09:56
I got off the train, got in a cab, and 55 dollars later I was at Amicalola. Get a room or a tent site.

SawnieRobertson
04-19-2013, 10:04
The tent sites at Amicalola Falls State Park provide a miserable night because they are covered in gravel. IOW, it is great if you are in an RV but not so good for tenting. I'd suggest contacting Ron Brown since Wes Wisson is not shuttling far distances now. The lodge is comfortable. Their food offerings are pretty good too.

Martymart
04-19-2013, 13:09
When I was setting up my reservations through email I typically got a reply from them between 4-9pm, so keep a lookout during that time frame.

MkBibble
04-19-2013, 14:25
I'm sure they will get back to you; betting they are very busy about now. If not, call Survivor Dave at 678-469-0978. He can provide a shuttle and help you arrange an inexpensive place to stay... and, he's just a nice guy.

ChuckBrown
04-19-2013, 15:13
The tent sites at Amicalola Falls State Park provide a miserable night because they are covered in gravel. IOW, it is great if you are in an RV but not so good for tenting. I'd suggest contacting Ron Brown since Wes Wisson is not shuttling far distances now. The lodge is comfortable. Their food offerings are pretty good too.

Yup, I remember the gravel, it didn't matter, I was so excited I never slept that night. I did have campground to myself.

wornoutboots
04-19-2013, 16:47
The tent sites at Amicalola Falls State Park provide a miserable night because they are covered in gravel. IOW, it is great if you are in an RV but not so good for tenting. I'd suggest contacting Ron Brown since Wes Wisson is not shuttling far distances now. The lodge is comfortable. Their food offerings are pretty good too.

I think there is a shelter there??

Ewker
04-19-2013, 16:53
I think there is a shelter there??

I know there use to be one. It was on the old Approach trail just a little ways past the arch behind the visitor center.

SOBO_Pace
04-19-2013, 18:16
It's still there

Montana Mac
04-19-2013, 19:51
If you haven't already done so also check your spam / bulk mail folder - it may have kicked the incoming over there.

I have also used them for lodging and shuttle and never had a problem – like others said it is a busy time for them.

Dogwood
04-19-2013, 20:12
The Max Epperson Shelter is behind the Amicalola Falls SP Visitors Center(right near the stone arch). Then you have the Black Gap(Mountain) Shelter 7.3 miles NOBO on the Approach trail. Then 1.5 miles past that is Springer Mt Shelter 8.8 miles NOBO up the Approach Trail. There is also paid lodging at AF SP and part way up the Approach Trail on a blue blaze you also have the Len Foote Inn. Just how many options do you need? Also, the Saints are probably very busy right now(you are not the only one planning an AT hike right now!), typically more so during the later part of the week and over the weekends. The deal they offer is a pretty damn good one IMHO opinion though! The Saints aren't the only ones that shuttle to AF SP and Springer Mt either. Be patient. My guess, I would not be surprised AT ALL if the Saints or someone from the Hiker Hostel contact you on or before Mon.

Dogwood
04-19-2013, 20:13
Oh yeah, here's the link to the shelters on the AT and Approach Trail from yours truly WB! http://www.whiteblaze.net/atdatabase/AT%20DATABASE%20JPEG-6.pdf

henry g wilgo
04-20-2013, 08:07
Thanks to all responders*****i made contact by phone...arrangements are all set for (may 19 sunday) my 1st hike and sleeping in the woods.
Best wishes to all....

Montana Mac
04-20-2013, 08:15
You will enjoy your stay and meeting them both. You will also have a chance to meet some fellow hikers getting ready to embark on a experience of their life time safe hiking!

attroll
04-20-2013, 21:53
Moved this thread/topic to "Hostels & Lodgings" forum.

Grampie
04-21-2013, 09:47
I arrived in Gainsvill by AMTrack around 7 PM. Walked up the hill tword the lights. About a mile away is a Best Western Hotel. Stayed the night, phoned a cab, from the yellow pages, aranged for a 7 AM pick up. I started the approach trail at 7:30. You can do the same, if need be.

QiWiz
04-22-2013, 00:14
The tent sites at Amicalola Falls State Park provide a miserable night because they are covered in gravel. IOW, it is great if you are in an RV but not so good for tenting. I'd suggest contacting Ron Brown since Wes Wisson is not shuttling far distances now. The lodge is comfortable. Their food offerings are pretty good too.

If you get to Amicalola early enough, just start hiking and stay the night at Springer shelter area or beyond. I flew to Atlanta from Cleveland, took the Marta to the North Station, was met by Survivor Dave, got shuttled to Amicalola, checked in with the rangers, started hiking on the approach trail, and got to the Springer Shelter area around 6 PM, having spent a good 30 minutes at the top of Springer taking pictures and savoring the moment. And I'm not a fast hiker.

EuroPacker
12-15-2017, 08:03
Re-reading these old posts, does anyone now wonder why the Saints sold the place? Crickey!



NO RESPONDS FOR (2) DAYS AFTER CALLING,(AND SENDING AN E-MAIL TO SCHEDULE A PICK UP FROM TRAIN STATION, IN GAINSVILLE,GEORGIA..

FURTHER PLANNING CAN NOT PROCEED UNTIL I ESTABLISH PICK UP AND LODGIING,,(TRANSPORTATION TO SPRINGER MT)

PLAN...AMTRAK TO GAINSVILLE ETA,,,8 AM MAY 18 2013.

NEED SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND PLACE TO STAY, (INORDER TO START MY 1ST HIKE)**
THANKYOU ALL ALL.....i have gained a wealth of knowledge from all the post and readings, very helpful to making my first hike..:-?

LAF
12-15-2017, 09:07
Nope ;-) But I do wonder about the new ownership. They've changed the model, the new managers aren't in sync with hikers (they've not ventured onto a trail), number of bunks have been reduced while increasing the number of private rooms, prices have increased, the old ambience is gone for a more "sterile" off white look, all the outdoors books have disappeared except for a florida trail book, and being a cyclist as well, they have eliminated all the niceties associated with that.... So it seems they are looking to cater to a different clientele. With that said, they are still running the shuttle for their clients and the hiking community, just at a higher cost.


Re-reading these old posts, does anyone now wonder why the Saints sold the place? Crickey!

sketcher709
12-18-2017, 19:28
It's natural. They probably have debt service the previous owners did not have. Hopefully they can find a way to accommodate all types of clientele.

EuroPacker
12-18-2017, 22:10
they still focus on the hiking community, but it is no longer a hostel. they have been fairly unabashed about that. its a full hotel now.

i understand they've recently acquired that large parcel of land adjacent and will be building a larger resort and spa facility. could be very nice, but hiker hostel is now long dead as a result. A wealthy family in Atlanta now owns it all.




Nope ;-) But I do wonder about the new ownership. They've changed the model, the new managers aren't in sync with hikers (they've not ventured onto a trail), number of bunks have been reduced while increasing the number of private rooms, prices have increased, the old ambience is gone for a more "sterile" off white look, all the outdoors books have disappeared except for a florida trail book, and being a cyclist as well, they have eliminated all the niceties associated with that.... So it seems they are looking to cater to a different clientele. With that said, they are still running the shuttle for their clients and the hiking community, just at a higher cost.

shelb
12-23-2017, 23:16
Step 1: find the caps lock key and press it once. Oh it looks like you did that. You are all set now.

Thank you!

Trillium
02-04-2018, 18:30
Wondered what the impact on Hiker Hostel has been so googled and it's now called Barefoot Hills. Prices have escalated astronomically. When I stayed there in 2008, a bunk room was $15; in 2013 $18 which included a ride from Woody Gap to HH and back to WG. Now a bunk room is $42.
My recollection is that the pickup from Marta, bunk room and shuttle to Springer was $67; now it's $210.

Hoping that Josh & Leigh are enjoying the next chapter of their lives! I so enjoyed their hospitality the 3 times I stayed with them.

Singto
02-04-2018, 22:31
Wondered what the impact on Hiker Hostel has been so googled and it's now called Barefoot Hills. Prices have escalated astronomically. When I stayed there in 2008, a bunk room was $15; in 2013 $18 which included a ride from Woody Gap to HH and back to WG. Now a bunk room is $42.
My recollection is that the pickup from Marta, bunk room and shuttle to Springer was $67; now it's $210.

Hoping that Josh & Leigh are enjoying the next chapter of their lives! I so enjoyed their hospitality the 3 times I stayed with them.

Last time that I checked (maybe a couple years ago), it was $79 for the package, which included your choice of fuel...alcohol or canister. When I checked the rates this year, I almost fell off my chair.