AT Approach Trail
Basic Trail Information
Southern Trailhead: Amicalola State Park | 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534 | $5 parking
Northern Trailhead: Big Stamp Gap, USFS 42 | 1 mile north of Springer on the AT | Free Parking
Blazed: Yes, blue blazed.
Distance: 8.8 miles to Springer | 9.8 miles trailhead to trailhead
Difficulty (S to N): Easy To Moderate
Beginner Difficulty (S to N): Difficult due to length and elevation gain
Elevation Gain (S to N): Constant and significant elevation gain of approximately 2,700 feet over 8.8 miles.
Elevation Loss (S to N): Minor elevation loss (approximately 600 feet) over 8.8 miles
Starting Elevation (S to N): Amicalola State Park | 1,800 feet
Ending Elevation (S to N): Springer Mountain Summit View | 3,782 feet
Difficulty (N to S): Easy.
Beginner Difficulty (N to S): Moderate due to length.
Elevation Gain (N to S): Minor elevation gain (approximately 600 feet) over 8.8 miles
Elevation Loss (N to S): Constant and significant elevation loss of approximately 2,700 feet over 8.8 miles.
Starting Elevation (N to S): Springer Mountain Summit View | 3,782 feet
Ending Elevation (S to N): Amicalola State Park | 1,800 feet
Main Attractions: Amicalola Falls (largest waterfall in Georgia); Springer Mountain, Southern Terminus of AT, Southern Terminus of Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT), and the AT Arch.
Ideal for: Point-to-point day hikers, beginner overnight hikers. For experienced day and overnight hikers, this hike can also be done as an out and back hike and combined with the Springer Mountain to Long Creek Falls loop.
Other Nearby Trails: Springer Mountain Loop, Springer Mountain to Long Creek Falls Loop. Amicalola State Park has numerous trails including Mountain Laurel Trail, Creek Trail, the Hike-In Trail, and Lodge Loop Trail among others.
Northern Trailhead: Big Stamp Gap, USFS 42 | 1 mile north of Springer on the AT | Free Parking
Blazed: Yes, blue blazed.
Distance: 8.8 miles to Springer | 9.8 miles trailhead to trailhead
Difficulty (S to N): Easy To Moderate
Beginner Difficulty (S to N): Difficult due to length and elevation gain
Elevation Gain (S to N): Constant and significant elevation gain of approximately 2,700 feet over 8.8 miles.
Elevation Loss (S to N): Minor elevation loss (approximately 600 feet) over 8.8 miles
Starting Elevation (S to N): Amicalola State Park | 1,800 feet
Ending Elevation (S to N): Springer Mountain Summit View | 3,782 feet
Difficulty (N to S): Easy.
Beginner Difficulty (N to S): Moderate due to length.
Elevation Gain (N to S): Minor elevation gain (approximately 600 feet) over 8.8 miles
Elevation Loss (N to S): Constant and significant elevation loss of approximately 2,700 feet over 8.8 miles.
Starting Elevation (N to S): Springer Mountain Summit View | 3,782 feet
Ending Elevation (S to N): Amicalola State Park | 1,800 feet
Main Attractions: Amicalola Falls (largest waterfall in Georgia); Springer Mountain, Southern Terminus of AT, Southern Terminus of Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT), and the AT Arch.
Ideal for: Point-to-point day hikers, beginner overnight hikers. For experienced day and overnight hikers, this hike can also be done as an out and back hike and combined with the Springer Mountain to Long Creek Falls loop.
Other Nearby Trails: Springer Mountain Loop, Springer Mountain to Long Creek Falls Loop. Amicalola State Park has numerous trails including Mountain Laurel Trail, Creek Trail, the Hike-In Trail, and Lodge Loop Trail among others.
My Hike Description
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I did this hike as part of a longer 30-mile day hike on June 1, 2014. This was my first experience with a long day hike. Frankly, I bit off more than I could chew. I only had a day pack for this hike. In my day pack, I only had 2 water bottles, 4-5 cliff bars, a sawyer water filter, and a walmart headlamp. It was at this time I was beginning to make my transition from a day hiker to a backpacker.
I began at Amicalola State Park, which marks the southern terminus of the Appalachian Approach Trail. After a two hour drive, I arrived at Amicalola State Park at approximately 8:00 am. I was not off to a good start. I wanted to get to Amicalola by 7:00 am. This was my first 30 mile day hike. In fact, this was going to be my first 20+ mile day hike. I really needed to start early, but I had slept in. I was not off to a good start. Many of the locations I referenced in this description can be seen in the gallery to the left. The pictures have the name of location and associated mile marker. The hope is that this will be a picture guide for your upcoming hike! |
I had done a decent amount of research for this hike and even drew a map of the AT approach trail, the BMT, and the AT using Google Maps. This was before I learned about AWOL'S and SGT Rock's trail guides.
Before I got to the infamous AT Arch, I saw this AT trail marker. It was here where I first came across Harold Allen's quote: "Remote for detachment, narrow for chosen company, winding for leisure, lonely for contemplation, it beckons not merely north and south, but upward to the body, mind, and soul of man." No hiking quote that I found is more true than this quote.
I set off from the infamous AT arch just passed 8:15 am. I was the first person at Amicalola that morning so there was no one to take a picture of me with the arch. The trail does have a lot of elevation gain, but the trail is well maintained which makes it much easier.
Behind the visitor center you come to your first main attraction, the AT arch. To some, this arch marks the very beginning of the AT. However, the majority of hikers do not consider it part of the AT as it is a "blue blaze" side trail. For me, it might as well be part of the AT.
Almost immediately leaving the AT arch, you come across your first shelter. This shelters is reserved only for thru hikers its appears. I didn't stay long as I had a long day ahead of me. I pushed forward. The trail crosses a bridge and then enters the mountains. For the first mile of this hike, the trail constantly gains approximately 800 feet of elevation. It also follows the river for a long stretch.
At .5 of a mile, I walked around and to the left of a reflection pond at the base of the falls. Shortly there after I reached the stair master. From here there will be two series of steps: first, 175 steps to the base of Amicalola Falls and second 425 steps to the top of Amicalola Falls.
I had reached the base of Amicalola Falls located approximately 0.8 miles into the hike in less than 15 minutes. Amicalola Falls is a stunning attraction. I believe it is the tallest waterfall in Georgia and one of the tallest east of the Mississippi. (Note, Whitewater falls is the largest waterfall east of the Mississippi). After taking several pictures and taking a minute to just enjoy the waterfall, I began to hike to the top of the falls by the second longer set of stairs. I had decided to count the steps as I went, and it seemed to help me. I knew where I was. I could push myself and say "I am half way there" or "only 100 more steps to go." I made it to the top of the falls less than 10 minutes later. The top of the waterfalls offer a great picture. The amount of sound Amicalola Falls puts out is also stunning.
From the top of the waterfall heading north, I next crossed another Amicalola State Park parking lot with bathrooms and a vending machine. On the way back, I took advantage of this vending machine. I hadn't had Coke in a long time, but that was the best tasting Coke I had had in my whole life.
At approximately 1.3 miles, a side trail departs the AT Approach Trail called the Hike Inn Trail to a lodge. The trail is approximately 5 miles and is blazed green. This trail later reconnects with the AT Approach Trail shortly after Frosty Mountain Road. The trail then crosses USFS Road 46 at approximately 1.5 miles and begins a 400+ foot ascent and a 150 foot descent until it crosses High Shoals Road at 3.2 miles.
After a brief climb from High Shoals Road, the trail levels for approximately a mile until it starts is climb up Frosty Mountain at approximately 4.8 miles. From this point forward, the trail remains above 3,000 feet of elevation. Although this trail crosses several mountains, these mountains offered no summer views and would unlikely offer any worthwhile winter views.
From Frosty Mountain, you begin to descend to cross another forest road, Frosty Mountain Forest Road, USFS Road 46 at 5.1 miles. You then begin a short climb to Woody Knobb with an elevation of 3,406 feet at approximately 5.7 miles. From Woody Knobb, you begin a 300 foot descent to Nimblewill Gap at 6.0 miles. This is the location of a tragic plane crash which is identified by a marker.
I took my first break at Nimblewill Gap. I had come 6 miles in just over 2 hours. I was making good time. I ate a cliff bar and had 1/2 a liter of water. After a short break, I continued to climb to Springer Mountain. From this point forward and for the next 2.8 miles, I constantly climbed for more than 800 feet to the summit of Springer.
After leaving Nimblewill Gap, you begin to climb 300+ feet to the summit of Black Mountain. Again there is no views at this summit. From Black Mountain, I began a gradual descent to Black Gap Shelter located at 7.3 miles. Black Gap Shelter is a large shelter and offers numerous locations for camping. There is also a privy at this shelter and a spring. I had reached the shelter around 10:45 am. I snapped a few pictures and continued my hike. I was officially 1.5 miles away from the summit of Springer and all that stood in my way was a 482 foot climb. The climb was graduate and fairly easy. I made it to the summit at 11:30 am.
The summit at Springer offers an amazing view and also has several trail markers and your first "official" white blaze. The trail register (which I didn't know even existed at the time) is on the back of the rock with the trail plaque. I ate another cliff bar (two left) and had another 1/2 a liter of water. It was a beautiful day despite the earlier rain. I was happy I risked the hike although I was about an hour behind schedule due to my late start. I thought about turning around here, but I decided to push forward. It wasn't 12:00 pm yet, I wasn't remotely tired. I decided to push on. I continued my day hike to Long Creek Falls which can be found here.
However, to complete this trail description, the Northern Trailhead is found in a parking lot approximately 1 mile north of Springer on the AT. The AT passes right through this parking lot just off of USFS Road 42. This section of the trail is constantly descending to the parking lot and passes the Springer Mountain Shelter and the Southern Terminus of the BMT. At this point you will be following the familiar white blazes of the "official" AT.
Before I got to the infamous AT Arch, I saw this AT trail marker. It was here where I first came across Harold Allen's quote: "Remote for detachment, narrow for chosen company, winding for leisure, lonely for contemplation, it beckons not merely north and south, but upward to the body, mind, and soul of man." No hiking quote that I found is more true than this quote.
I set off from the infamous AT arch just passed 8:15 am. I was the first person at Amicalola that morning so there was no one to take a picture of me with the arch. The trail does have a lot of elevation gain, but the trail is well maintained which makes it much easier.
Behind the visitor center you come to your first main attraction, the AT arch. To some, this arch marks the very beginning of the AT. However, the majority of hikers do not consider it part of the AT as it is a "blue blaze" side trail. For me, it might as well be part of the AT.
Almost immediately leaving the AT arch, you come across your first shelter. This shelters is reserved only for thru hikers its appears. I didn't stay long as I had a long day ahead of me. I pushed forward. The trail crosses a bridge and then enters the mountains. For the first mile of this hike, the trail constantly gains approximately 800 feet of elevation. It also follows the river for a long stretch.
At .5 of a mile, I walked around and to the left of a reflection pond at the base of the falls. Shortly there after I reached the stair master. From here there will be two series of steps: first, 175 steps to the base of Amicalola Falls and second 425 steps to the top of Amicalola Falls.
I had reached the base of Amicalola Falls located approximately 0.8 miles into the hike in less than 15 minutes. Amicalola Falls is a stunning attraction. I believe it is the tallest waterfall in Georgia and one of the tallest east of the Mississippi. (Note, Whitewater falls is the largest waterfall east of the Mississippi). After taking several pictures and taking a minute to just enjoy the waterfall, I began to hike to the top of the falls by the second longer set of stairs. I had decided to count the steps as I went, and it seemed to help me. I knew where I was. I could push myself and say "I am half way there" or "only 100 more steps to go." I made it to the top of the falls less than 10 minutes later. The top of the waterfalls offer a great picture. The amount of sound Amicalola Falls puts out is also stunning.
From the top of the waterfall heading north, I next crossed another Amicalola State Park parking lot with bathrooms and a vending machine. On the way back, I took advantage of this vending machine. I hadn't had Coke in a long time, but that was the best tasting Coke I had had in my whole life.
At approximately 1.3 miles, a side trail departs the AT Approach Trail called the Hike Inn Trail to a lodge. The trail is approximately 5 miles and is blazed green. This trail later reconnects with the AT Approach Trail shortly after Frosty Mountain Road. The trail then crosses USFS Road 46 at approximately 1.5 miles and begins a 400+ foot ascent and a 150 foot descent until it crosses High Shoals Road at 3.2 miles.
After a brief climb from High Shoals Road, the trail levels for approximately a mile until it starts is climb up Frosty Mountain at approximately 4.8 miles. From this point forward, the trail remains above 3,000 feet of elevation. Although this trail crosses several mountains, these mountains offered no summer views and would unlikely offer any worthwhile winter views.
From Frosty Mountain, you begin to descend to cross another forest road, Frosty Mountain Forest Road, USFS Road 46 at 5.1 miles. You then begin a short climb to Woody Knobb with an elevation of 3,406 feet at approximately 5.7 miles. From Woody Knobb, you begin a 300 foot descent to Nimblewill Gap at 6.0 miles. This is the location of a tragic plane crash which is identified by a marker.
I took my first break at Nimblewill Gap. I had come 6 miles in just over 2 hours. I was making good time. I ate a cliff bar and had 1/2 a liter of water. After a short break, I continued to climb to Springer Mountain. From this point forward and for the next 2.8 miles, I constantly climbed for more than 800 feet to the summit of Springer.
After leaving Nimblewill Gap, you begin to climb 300+ feet to the summit of Black Mountain. Again there is no views at this summit. From Black Mountain, I began a gradual descent to Black Gap Shelter located at 7.3 miles. Black Gap Shelter is a large shelter and offers numerous locations for camping. There is also a privy at this shelter and a spring. I had reached the shelter around 10:45 am. I snapped a few pictures and continued my hike. I was officially 1.5 miles away from the summit of Springer and all that stood in my way was a 482 foot climb. The climb was graduate and fairly easy. I made it to the summit at 11:30 am.
The summit at Springer offers an amazing view and also has several trail markers and your first "official" white blaze. The trail register (which I didn't know even existed at the time) is on the back of the rock with the trail plaque. I ate another cliff bar (two left) and had another 1/2 a liter of water. It was a beautiful day despite the earlier rain. I was happy I risked the hike although I was about an hour behind schedule due to my late start. I thought about turning around here, but I decided to push forward. It wasn't 12:00 pm yet, I wasn't remotely tired. I decided to push on. I continued my day hike to Long Creek Falls which can be found here.
However, to complete this trail description, the Northern Trailhead is found in a parking lot approximately 1 mile north of Springer on the AT. The AT passes right through this parking lot just off of USFS Road 42. This section of the trail is constantly descending to the parking lot and passes the Springer Mountain Shelter and the Southern Terminus of the BMT. At this point you will be following the familiar white blazes of the "official" AT.