Trail Length: 1.9 miles | Type of trail: In and out |
County: Gilmer County, GA | Our rating: E |
Features: scenic | Your rating: |
Usage: Medium | Added on: January 01, 1995 |
Last hiked: April 24, 2015 | Updated on: January 11, 2016 |
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Overview
This Appalachian Trail day hike follows the trail from FS 42 to the top of Springer Mountain. It is the shortest approach to the starting point of the Appalachian Trail.
Springer Mountain Day Hike
The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail lies almost exactly in the middle of a line drawn from Ellijay to Dahlonega (History of Dahlonega, Georgia), and 8 miles north of Amicalola Falls State Park. Springer is one of the few places in Georgia never forested, mostly because the ground is so rocky that trees don't grow well in the soil. This made it less than worthwhile for companies to attempt to harvest what little lumber there is on top of the mountain.
On Forest Service Road 42 a day-use fee-based parking area has been developed allowing access by foot to both the top of Springer and nearby Three Forks. From this parking area cross the road to the well-marked trail to Springer Mountain. The path is blazed with the familiar white rectangle of the AT, and a blaze is always visible when you are on the path.
From the parking lot to the top of Springer Mountain the trail climbs constantly but never sharply. This is a wide trail, as is all of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. The major problem with this footpath is the rocky ground; it is very easy to misstep and possibly fall. The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club has done a great job reworking the trail, adding steps in a couple of places and a unique water control network. It is obvious that they have spent much time improving the quality of this hike.
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Appalachian Trail in Georgia is an overview of the AT
Georgia Appalachian Trail Sections and Access Access points for the Appalachian Trail in Georgia
Benton MacKaye Trail overview
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Georgia Hikes
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Amicalola Falls State Park
Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail in Georgia
Benton MacKaye Trail
Benton MacKaye Trail, Section I
Dahlonega
Ellijay
Georgia Appalachian Trail Sections and Access
Georgia Trails
Georgia Trails Index
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