Springer Mountain Day Hike
Basic Trail Information
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Trailhead: Big Stamp Gap, USFS 42 Parking | 34.637503, -84.195383 | Free Parking
Blazed: Yes, the AT is white blazed. Distance: 1.8 mile loop hike. Difficulty: Easy. Beginner Difficulty: Moderate. Elevation Gain: From Parking lot, there is a constant 400 feet of elevation gain for approximately 0.9 miles. Elevation Loss: From Springer Mountain, there is constant 400 feet of elevation loss to parking lot 0.9 miles north on AT. Starting/Ending Elevation: Big Stamp Gap, USFS 42 Parking | Approximately 3,350 feet Point Elevation: Springer Mountain Summit View | 3,782 feet Main Attractions: Springer Mountain Summit, Southern Terminus of AT, Southern Terminus of Benton MacKaye Trail. Ideal for: Day hikers. Overnight hikers can also enjoy this trail by combing it with longer trails, such as the AT Approach Trail, Springer Mountain Loop Trail. Other Nearby Trails: AT Approach Trail, Long Creek Falls, Springer Mountain to Long Creek Falls Loop Trail, and Amicalola State Park Trails Park Trails. |
After doing Blood Mountain several times, I decided to do something new. While hiking back to my car from the summit of Blood, I thought about the AT. I thought about the how it stretches from Georgia to Maine. As I wasn't going to get to Maine anytime soon, I decided to start at its other terminus. I went home and learned more about Springer Mountain. Apparently there was a parking lot about a mile from Springer Mountain summit. I also learned about Benton MacKaye Trail. I learned that there was a loop hike you could do combining both trails. It was decided I was going to do my Springer Mountain Loop.
The drive up to Big Stamp Gap, USFS 42 Parking felt like it took forever. This was the first time I had driven on a long forest road. It took forever to get the parking lot, but the forest road up is to the gap is well maintained. There is a fairly large parking lot at Big Stamp Gap.
Once I parked, I got out and got my bearings. I wanted to go to Springer Mountain first. I got my bearings and headed out south on the AT. Soon, I'd be where it at starts (or ends). The beginning of the AT. The beginning of the BMT. I start making my way to the summit. After making the climb up Blood a few times, I started to get used to hiking the ups. I was developing my hiking legs. The climb up to Springer Mountain was quick and relatively painless. It was a short 400 ish foot climb. Before reaching the summit, I passed the southern terminus of the Benton MacKaye Trail. Shortly thereafter, I passed the sign to the Springer Mountain Shelter. From here, I knew the summit was just around the corner. I finally at the summit of Springer. The begging of it all.
I found the first AT's white blaze. The AT's plaque on Springer. Finally, I saw the amazing view. I sat on the top of Springer for 15 minutes. The view on Springer was not as expansive as Blood Mountain, but it felt more intimate. I also had Springer Mountain to myself which I rarely did on Blood Mountain Summit.
To complete this hike, take the AT north back to the parking lot. On this day, however, I did this hike part of the Springer Mountain Loop Trail.
The drive up to Big Stamp Gap, USFS 42 Parking felt like it took forever. This was the first time I had driven on a long forest road. It took forever to get the parking lot, but the forest road up is to the gap is well maintained. There is a fairly large parking lot at Big Stamp Gap.
Once I parked, I got out and got my bearings. I wanted to go to Springer Mountain first. I got my bearings and headed out south on the AT. Soon, I'd be where it at starts (or ends). The beginning of the AT. The beginning of the BMT. I start making my way to the summit. After making the climb up Blood a few times, I started to get used to hiking the ups. I was developing my hiking legs. The climb up to Springer Mountain was quick and relatively painless. It was a short 400 ish foot climb. Before reaching the summit, I passed the southern terminus of the Benton MacKaye Trail. Shortly thereafter, I passed the sign to the Springer Mountain Shelter. From here, I knew the summit was just around the corner. I finally at the summit of Springer. The begging of it all.
I found the first AT's white blaze. The AT's plaque on Springer. Finally, I saw the amazing view. I sat on the top of Springer for 15 minutes. The view on Springer was not as expansive as Blood Mountain, but it felt more intimate. I also had Springer Mountain to myself which I rarely did on Blood Mountain Summit.
To complete this hike, take the AT north back to the parking lot. On this day, however, I did this hike part of the Springer Mountain Loop Trail.
