Good places to hang around Amicalola Falls, GA?

[halfastronomical]

So my wife surprised me with a little gift certificate to this joint called the Hike Inn. I have another couple days to kill,so I would definitely like to get some hanging in. I am looking for a good spot fairly close to there, preferably within hiking distance, but we could possibly hike to the campsite and back out the next day, then drive to the Hike Inn Parking Area.

I am just getting my wife back into backpacking, and this will be her first overnight in the hammock besides out in the yard... so maybe like a 5-10 mile hike...or I might need to take her to a car-campground first.:eek:

I have been all around that area as a kid, but mostly car camping with my parents back in the day. I have also been on the AT from Springer to Neels and I don't really want to take her there on the first trip out.

Any ideas?

[SwinginIt]

Um unless I've been mistaken all this time, there is no Hike Inn parking area. It's called the Hike Inn because you have to do just that. The Inn is off of the AT approach trail from Amicalola falls to Springer. Basically you'll park at Amicalola and hike about 5 miles to the inn. Or I guess you could park at Springer and come in from that way as well. The approach trail is 9 miles. So you could hike to the inn from Amicalola then hike the rest of the way to Springer and camp there. Springer is also the start of the BMT so instead of hiking around the AT you could do some sections of the BMT.

Do you plan on going soon? Because in the fall when the leaves are in full color the approach trail is beyond beautiful. It's like something out of a movie. It reminded of The House of Flying Daggers. Epic.

[halfastronomical]

YOU MEAN I CAN'T DRIVE TO THE HIKE INN!!!??? Ha! Yeah, I know, LOL. When I say "parking area" I mean the park visitor center. I have not lost THAT many brain cells yet!!! I plan on taking her all the way up the approach trail anyway, but I was more looking for a "spot" to camp that was hammock friendly. We are going next month, and I totally agree about the approach trail being quite magical in the Fall. I have not been on the BMT in this area, besides like a mile or 2 off the road. I am online now, looking for a good spot...I just want a good spot for a good first impression for my wife. She is having some reservations.

[halfastronomical]

YOU MEAN I CAN'T DRIVE TO THE HIKE INN!!!??? Ha! Yeah, I know, LOL. When I say "parking area" I mean the park visitor center. I have not lost THAT many brain cells yet!!! I plan on taking her all the way up the approach trail anyway, but I was more looking for a "spot" to camp that was hammock friendly. We are going next month, and I totally agree about the approach trail being quite magical in the Fall. I have not been on the BMT in this area, besides like a mile or 2 off the road. I am online now, looking for a good spot...I just want a good spot for a good first impression for my wife. She is having some reservations.

Also, I kind of wanted to avoid Springer, because it has always been super crowded that close to the road, unless things have changed in the last couple years.

[halfastronomical]

Anybody have any ideas? I am going next weekend.

[gunner76]

There are plenty of trees along the trail you can hang from along the approach trail.. But you will have to carry in your own water unless you camp near the shelters.

First photo is about 3 miles in on approach trail and the second is next to Springer Mt Shelter.

Finding trees is not a problem.

I will be hiking north from Springer Mt starting this Sat. I have until Thursday to hike as far as I can make it ( or feel like it ).

[stevebo]

I took a hike with a co-worker a few years ago---we parked at springer, hiked north on the AT and then by long falls took another trail (BMT?) and hiked to a big clearing where the army rangers train. It was pretty and there wern't any people there! The funny thing was, the trail cuts across the clearing, but we took a side trail around the edge of the clearing and found someones "garden"--I'm no expert on herbs, but those wernt tomatoes growing in the garden! We just went around it and kept on hiking!