Hello Veteran Hikers,
I've been backpacking a lot through GA and NC and now I'd like to tackle some section hiking (it's about time!!). A thru hike of the AT is great fantasy material, but there's no way I'd give up my job in Atlanta. I'm thinking of hiking the 70-odd miles in GA in October with my hiking pal with the following itinerary. We'll be using hammocks. Please let me know what you think.
1) Stay over night in at the Hiker's Hostel near Dahlonega and start hiking on a Monday. I'm hoping I can leave my car there until I get back a week later. If I can't, what are my options for getting to Springer? How expensive is it to get from midtown Atlanta to Springer? Any shuttle recommendations?
2) First night out stay near Hawk Mountain Shelter.
3) Tuesday night stay near Woody Gap.
4) Wednesday night stay at Neels Gap Blood Mountain cabins or the hostel at Mountain Crossings. Any advice on one or the other? I'd prefer the cabin and I'm hoping availability won't be a problem.
5) Thursday night stay near Low Gap Shelter.
6) Friday night stay near Tray Mountain Shelter.
7) Saturday night reach Dick's Creek Gap and then stay somewhere in Hiawassee. Seems like there lots of accommodation options here...any particular recommendations? Availability may be a problem in October. I'd like to stay at Blueberry Patch, but I heard that it's closed except to southbound hikers. Why would that be?
8) Shuttle back to Dick's Creek Gap and finish up to the state line. What are your recommendations for getting a shuttle back to the Hiker's Hostel in Dahlonega? What would you recommend if I had to get back all the way from the state line to Atlanta?
Thanks in advance for your help! Any other advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.