Amy and Penny's Amazing Appalachian Trail Adventure - Day 1 - Amicalola Falls State Park to Springer Mountain (Mile -8.1 to 0.2)

Penny and I had a wonderful pre-hike night at Hostel Around the Bend. After getting settled in our shared private room, we drove the 10 minutes into town for a burger and a brew at the aptly named Hiawassee Brew. The burgers were great, the beer even better.  

We were giddy with excitement for the start of our hike.  After a restless night of sleep, our shuttle arrived just as we finished loading our packs. Our driver, Frank, is a nice guy who gave us an informative drive of the area to Amicalola Falls State Park. We made a couple of stops (motrin and a replacement charging box for the phones) and arrived at the park around 11 am. We registered at the office, then took the obligatory pictures at the arch for the approach trail. 

The start of our approach trail in Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia

The approach trail is 8.6 miles to Springer Mountain, which is the official start of the AT. One doesn't have to hike the approach trail - the option is to start at the Springer Mountain parking lot, which is about one mile north of the official start. Then one would have to hike south, spend a moment at the start, then backtrack the mile back north. Penny and I opted to get the whole experience by doing the extra 8.6 miles so we could look back at pictures and reminisce on our complete AT adventure. 

The trail started pleasantly enough. We ambled for all of one-quarter mile through woods on a gentle-sloped dirt path which paralleled the woods. Our amble quickly turned to a slog uphill on 675 wooden and stone steps. The weather was overcast and cloudy, and while the falls WERE beautiful, we joked about a better plan would have been to have Frank drive us to the park for a look and then to Springer for an easier start to the AT.  While we were suffering up the hill, all the other day hikers looked in wonder and amazement at the old ladies climbing up the hill with loaded packs. 

Amicolola Falls, Georgia

Penny had to stop and adjust her pack several times, as the pack was a recent purchase with a different suspension system than her other packs. The design was really cool, but she learned quickly that the pack was not going to work fully loaded for a multi-night backpack trip. We briefly visited the lodge at the top of the falls. We should have stayed here! The lobby is stunning! However, I hear the nightly rate is just as stunning, so maybe the hostel was better, after all! 

The lobby of Amicalola Falls Lodge

The sky turned ever more dark and cloudy, with a haze of fog turning to steady sprinkles for the next 5 miles. We followed the blue-blazed trail, climbing steadily to the Springer, excitement mounting. Finally, after 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and soaked to the bone, we crest a hill. Wait! The blazes ran out! We took a few minutes of scratching our heads before we realized we made it to the top! I was expecting lots of people milling about a small bald, appreciating the views of the distant valleys, however I as a little downtrodden to see a plaque set into the rock in a wooded copse. However, we celebrated the moment with a picture and entry into the logbook. 

The Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain, Georgia

We continued the 0.2 miles to the Springer shelter. The shelters are curious respites from the vagaries of the trail, usually consisting of three sides, open to the elements but a shelter nonetheless. Most shelters also have a fire pit, water source (spring or stream), a privy set away from the water source, and picnic table. Other campers were already set up in and behind the shelter. Penny and I set up camp, then hung out in the shelter proper with the other 10 or so hikers which were in resident that night.  Some of the campers had been there 2 nights, making it a weekend. We enjoyed a roaring fire while eating our freeze-dried dinners and some campfire conversation until 9 pm, when the skies opened up. The rain and wind were amazing! 40 mph winds whipped the mountain all night, coming in sideways under the tarp. 

Springer Mountain Shelter the day after the deluge

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