Approach trail

[Codger]

Later this month, wife and I want to do the approach trail up to Springer and back down to The Hike Inn. We have to be at the Hike Inn by 5pm. We are both 62,but we have done two section hikes of a week each and have made it from Springer to Fontana. Last day on trail we made it from Locas Grove to Fontana approx. 18 miles, but took 11 hours. How hard is the Approach?

[Slo-go'en]

The hard part of the approch trail is the intial climb up to the top of the falls. If you skip that part (do it seperate) and start at the lodge, the rest of the way is just a modest up hill climb. Without a heavy load on you back, it shouldn't be very hard.

[Freedom Walker]

Good question. I hope you get some good answers as I want to hike the same trail later this spring. I have read that the Approach trail is an good example of what kind of trails to expect on the AT. I want to hike from Springer to Neels Gap later on in Sept.

[DrRichardCranium]

The hike up the 600 steps isn't as bad as some people say. Just go slow & havelunch at the lodge afterwards.

[RLC_FLA]

If you are staying at the Lynn Foote Hike Inn, you can park your car up at the lot on the top of the falls. Make sure you check in at the office before yuou drive up to the parking area.

The trail to the Inn is , IMHO, easier, and more sceinic, than the Approach Trail, going up. You may want to consider doing the Approach Trail, coming back down the next day.

[SassyWindsor]

The approach trail has its moments nobo, mostly downhill sobo. More and more hikers using the FS road to access the start.

[veteran]

The hike up the 600 steps isn't as bad as some people say. Just go slow & havelunch at the lodge afterwards.

Use the East Ridge Trail instead, those steps are a bummer.



East Ridge Trail

[Mags]

The approach trail is relatively mellow IMO. If you are going right from the couch to the trail and have a heavy pack, then you might find it difficult.

[Blissful]

I didn't think it was mellow by any stretch, ha ha and I wasn't a couch potato or had a heavy pack either.

Take it easy, IMO.

[Praha4]

does anyone know the parking situation at Amicalola Falls state park for thru hikers this year? do they still have space at the visitor center?

[Mags]

I didn't think it was mellow by any stretch, ha ha and I wasn't a couch potato or had a heavy pack either.

Take it easy, IMO.

IIRC you are the one who advocates that one doesn't have to be in decent shape prior for a thru-hike and being overweight is not an issue prior to a thru-hike.


I am the one who is physically active year round and advocates physical fitness as part of thru-hike prep and (more importantly) for general fun in the outdoors outside of thru-hiking.

YMMV.

But one of us found the approach trail mellow.

The other one did not.

[jesse]

Park at the top of the falls. Forget the steps and the East Ridge Trail. Eat the breakfast buffet ($5) then start your hike. Keep an eye on your watch, if you start running short of time, turn around and head for the Hike Inn. Enjoy.

[Monkeywrench]

How hard is the Approach?

I just looked back at my journal entry for the first day of my thru last year; I started the Approach Trail at 10:20AM and was at the summit of Springer Mountain at 1:50PM. As others have said, the first part of the Approach climbs up about a gazillion steps, and I took it slow going up them. After you reach the top of the falls the trail goes off into the woods and is a steady, but not terribly steep, climb. At least, that's the way I remember it.

[K2]

Is it really six hundred steps, or just steep?

Nervously, ~K2~

[Marta]

Is it really six hundred steps, or just steep?

Nervously, ~K2~

It is a lot of steps. Wooden steps. There are viewing platforms along the way. Keep your camera out and take lots of photos of the falls, and incidentally catch your breath...

[Pony]

Approach Trail- Not too bad

Steps on the Approach Trail- They suck

Then again, I hate most steps on the trail, at road crossings and such.

[Mountain Shuttler]

I once worked at Amicalola Falls State Park and live only 18 miles from there now so I've probably been up those 600 plus steps as much as anybody.Most people that you talk to will tell you that they're pretty tough to climb especially with packs that weigh 30 pounds and sometimes much more so I think we need to be more honest with people who haven't been up them before.As far as the steps themselves,they're actually made out of a metal grating and the handrails and resting benches are wooden.If you skip the stairs then you've not done the entire current approach trail plus missed great views of the falls so it's your choice.Also,my shuttle service customers tell me that the food at the lodge ain't that great especially if you're just starting out.

[veteran]

The Steps

[Marta]

Like I said...great photo ops!

[John Klein]

...my shuttle service customers tell me that the food at the lodge ain't that great especially if you're just starting out.

Sunday brunch is good.