The difficulty of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia should not be underestimated. Elevations vary from about 2500 to 4500 feet with many steep climbs. North Georgia mountain weather is considerably colder and rainier than in the rest of the state. Snow and near-zero temperatures are common from mid-December through mid-March. Below-freezing nights may occur from early October through April. Hikers who start very early in the spring should come equipped for cold weather and freezing rain. All times of the year it is best to be prepared for rain.
In dry summers, you should carry enough water for the day. Springs near the shelters are usually reliable but that’s not always the case in dry weather, so fill up water bottles whenever you can. There are some blue-blazed side trails that lead to nearby off-trail water sources. It is no longer safe to drink untreated water along the trail. Water should be either filtered through a microporous filter capable of removing Giardia, treated with a chemical purifier (preferably iodine-based), or boiled for several minutes.
Bears have become a minor problem recently. While there have been no reported instances of bears attacking hikers, backpacks containing food have been ransacked. You might try hanging food out of reach of bears at night (they climb), and keep food and cooking away from the sleeping area. Bear cables for hanging food have been installed at all shelters except Blood Mountain. A number of animals will pilfer your food at night, such as skunks, raccoons, opossums and especially mice at the shelters. If you are prone to allergic reactions from yellow jackets and other insects, be sure to carry medication. Rattlesnakes and copperheads are seen infrequently on the trail, and usually try to get out of the hiker's way. Watch for snakes warming themselves on rocky outcrops.
Mid/late October to early January is deer hunting season in North Georgia. (Exact dates vary from one year to the next, and from one Wildlife Management Area to the next). Extreme caution should be used during this period. We strongly advise staying on the trail and wearing an orange vest and pack cover.
Crime is a rare occurrence on the trail, but it does happen. Some advice: camp away from roads that show vehicular use, do not discuss your hiking itinerary with strangers (don't say where you plan to camp for the night), and always imply you are hiking with a group even if you are traveling alone.
The Appalachian Trail in Georgia The Appalachian Trail in Georgia extends some 75 miles through the primitive areas of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Although rising at times to elevations of over 4,000 feet, the Trail is mostly along ridges at elevations of about 3,000 feet. It offers unlimited hiking adventure of exceptional challenge and variety. Ascents and descents are sometimes steep, but are often rewarded by scenic vistas from rocky outcrops and open summits. A series of white blazes, trail marking, indicate the Appalachian Trail while blue blazes designate side trails and trails to water. Along the way, the hiker will find shelters for camping.
The Trail's southern terminus is located atop remote Springer Mountain, near Forest Service Road 42. Since this area is difficult to reach by automobile, an 8.8 mile blue blazed "approach trail " begins at Amicalola Falls State Park on GA 52. Outstanding peaks along the Trail include Big Cedar Mountain, Blood Mountain, Cowrock Mountain, Rocky Mountain, and Tray Mountain. One of the many side trails leads from Chattahoochee Gap to the highest point in Georgia, Brasstown Bald. Bly Gap on the Georgia/North Carolina border is the northern end of the AT in Georgia. See the complete trail description.
The Georgia Trail is managed and maintained by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, Chattahoochee National Forest.
Trail Description
Approach Trail: From Amicalola Falls State Park, the blue-blazed Approach Trail begins behind the visitor center. The trail goes 8.8 miles north to summit of Springer Mountain. Frosty Mountain is at mile 4.1 of Approach Trail, and Nimblewill Gap is at mile 6.0.
Appalachian Trail in Georgia:
Miles • 00.0 Springer Mountain (3782 ft) is Southern terminus of the A.T. Bronze plaque on rock, sign and register nearby. Good views to west. Mount Katahdin in Maine is 2175 miles north via the white-blazed trail.
• 00.2 Springer Mountain Shelter (3700 ft) to right on side trail with privy and reliable spring. Established tent sites nearby.
• 00.9 USFS Road #42 (parking).
• 02.5 Stover Creek Shelter (2920 ft) with all-season stream nearby. Located left of A.T. down old logging road.
• 04.1 Three Forks (2520 ft), where three streams converge to form Noontootla Creek, USFS Road #58. Campsites available north of A.T. along Long Creek.
• 04.9 Blue blazed trail to Long Creek Falls.
• 07.6 Hawk Mountain Shelter (3130 ft) with privy and water down path behind shelter.
• 08.1 Hightower Gap (2854 ft), junction with gravel USFS Roads #42 & #69.
• 14.9 Gooch Mountain Shelter (2775 ft) and privy to left on short side trail. New in 2001. Excellent spring, tent sites.
• 16.3 Gooch Gap (2784 ft), USFS Road #42 leads 2.7 miles to Suches, Georgia.
• 19.9 Woody Gap (3150 ft), paved GA Hwy. 60 with good parking. Suches, Georgia is 1.9 miles to left.
• 20.9 Big Cedar Mountain (3737 ft), with good views from rock ledges.
• 23.7 Henry Gap (3100 ft) is 200 ft left on side trail. Unpaved road leads to GA Hwy. 180.
• 25.5 Jarrard Gap (3250 ft), blue-blazed trail to left leads one mile to Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area (USFS) and GA Hwy 180.
• 26.8 Woods Hole Shelter (3460 ft), privy 0.4 miles west on side trail. Water at mid-point on trail.
• 26.9 Bird Gap (3,650 ft). Freeman Trail bypasses Blood Mountain summit and leads 1.8 miles to Flatrock Gap.
• 27.2 Slaughter Creek Trail, blue-blazed to left leads 2.7 miles to Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area (USFS). Stream at right turn is the last water before Neels Gap and is the water source for campsites ahead.
• 27.3 Slaughter Creek Campsite, eight tent pads built on sidehill.
• 28.1 Blood Mountain (4461 ft, highest point on the A.T. in Georgia). Blood Mountain Shelter with privy located on summit. Closest water is creek at A.T. and Slaughter Creek trail junction. Panoramic views in all directions.
• 29.5 Flatrock Gap (3440 ft), Trail to Byron Reece Memorial, west .6 mi. Parking; Freeman Trail bypasses Blood Mountain summit and leads 1.8 miles to Bird Gap.
• 30.5 Neels Gap (3125 ft), paved US 19/129 with parking at Byron Reese Memorial north on highway. Walasi-Yi Center has hiker supplies, equipment and hostel available on first come, first serve basis.
• 33.9 Wolf Laurel Top (3766 ft) with campsite and views to right in clearing.
• 36.0 Tesnatee Gap (3138 ft), paved GA Hwy. 348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway) with parking.
• 36.7 Whitley Gap Shelter (3360 ft), privy is right 1.2 miles on side trail with magnificent views in season,
dependable spring.
• 36.9 Hogpen Gap (3450 ft) on GA Hwy. 348 with parking.
• 41.1 Low Gap Shelter (2990 ft), privy is right via side trail into cove with spring and stream nearby.
• 46.1 Chattahoochee Gap (3500 ft), spring on right via side trail is headwaters of Chattahoochee River.
• 47.8 Site of former Rocky Knob shelter. Area still usable as campsite. Spring downhill below old shelter site.
• 48.3 Blue Mountain Shelter (3780 ft), privy via side trail to left. Spring on A.T. just before turnoff to shelter.
• 50.5 Unicoi Gap (2949 ft), paved GA Hwy 75 with parking.
• 54.9 Tray Gap (3847 ft), junction with Tray Mountain Road (USFS Road #79).
• 55.7 Tray Mountain (4430 ft) with outstanding views from summit. Descending to north, trail is rough, rocky and steep.
• 56.0 Tray Mountain Shelter (4070 ft), privy is left via side trail, good spring downhill behind shelter.
• 61.3 Addis Gap (3304 ft) campsite with stream to right 0.5 mile down old fire road.
• 62.4 Kelly Knob (4276 ft), summit is 0.2 mile to left.
• 63.1 Deep Gap Shelter (3550 ft), privy is 0.3 mile to right. Water in piped spring just before shelter.
• 66.6 Dicks Creek Gap (2675 ft), paved US 76 with picnic tables and seasonal stream.
• 70.9 Plumorchard Gap Shelter (3000 ft), privy is located to right of gap, down side trail. Spring near shelter.
• 75.4 Bly Gap (3840 ft), on Georgia/North Carolina state line, is marked by gnarled oak tree and fine views to north. Good campsite and water to right below clearing.
Blazes The Trail is marked throughout its length with rectangular white blazes. Side trails and trails to water are blue blazed. Signs are placed at road crossings, shelters, and other important intersections.
The GATC Trails and shelters committee is putting a tremendous amount of work into maintaining the balance between the preservation of the semi-primitive nature of the Chattahochee National Forest (through which the AT passes in Georgia), and the need for clear and adequate markings to help guide those unfamiliar with the route.
Trail Shelters There are 12 shelters on the Georgia AT. All but one of these shelters are three sided, open front-front types, are floored, and have springs reasonably close by. The exception is the stone two room structure on top of Blood Mountain. It has four sides, open windows, and a sleeping platform. There is no water on top of Blood Mountain.
Supplies & Facilities Amicalola Falls State Park has showers and laundry included with campsite fee, or a walk-in primitive campsite with privy for late arrivals. There is also a lodge and restaurant. Coke machines and phone are near park office at bottom of falls and at the top of the falls near the Hike Inn parking lot. Park office closes at 5:00 p.m. Additional information about the park can be obtained from (include a stamped self-addressed envelope) Amicalola Falls State Park, 418 Amiacalola Lodge Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 (706) 265-4703 or (800) 864-7275. The park's web site is http://gastateparks.org/info/amicalola/
The Len Foote Hike Inn is located 5 miles by trail north of Amicalola Falls State Park and 4.5 miles by trail south of Springer Mountain. Guests hike in the five miles from Amicalola Falls State Park. At the inn one can enjoy a hot shower and hearty, family style dinner and breakfast (the inn does not serve lunch although trail lunches are available for guests), educational programs and environmental demonstrations, or just sit in an Adironack chair and enjoy solitude and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rooms are minimal accommodations. Each room has two extra-long, twin size bunk beds. Rooms are cooled with mountain breezes and have a fan. For winter, warm blankets are supplemented by a heat panel in each room. Room rates which include dinner, breakfast and taxes. There are discounted rates for children and some seasonal discounts. Contact the Hike Inn for current rates or check the Inn's website at http://www.hike-inn.com/ . Reservations may be made through the State Central Reservation System by calling (800) 581-8032. The Inn is owned by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and managed by Appalachian Education and Recreation Services, Inc., which is affiliated with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Hikers can walk from the Hike Inn to rejoin the Approach Trail a short ways south of Nimblewill Gap and continue on the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain.
At Woody Gap (paved GA Hwy. 60)
• West approximately 3 miles in Suches, Georgia, at the intersection of GA 60 and GA 180 is a gas station/general store. Suches is a small community with a part-time medical clinic and volunteer fire department with emergency medical technicians. Jim and Ruth Ann Miner (11663 Miner-Scales Drive, Suches, Georgia 30572, (706) 747-5434) are friends of long distance hikers.
• East 15 miles on GA 60 is Dahlonega, Georgia, with grocery stores, post office, hospital, hardware, motels, and restaurants. This area was the site of the first gold rush in the United States.
At Neels Gap (US 19/129)
• Mountain Crossings, a.k.a. The Walasi-Yi Center (9710 Gainesville Hwy., Blairsville. Georgia 30512, 706-745-6095) is a backpacking outfitter and short-term grocery resupply store located directly on top of the Appalachian Trail at Neels gap. The store is run by Winton Porter. Winton and his staff give lots of support to long-distance hikers who come through every spring. The center is open from 8:30am to 6:30pm, seven days a week and offers a great deal of services for all hikers. The store carries a wide variety of tents/shelters, sleeping bags, hiking boots/shoes,hiking apparel, hiking guides/maps, freeze-dried foods, plus much more. White gas and denatured alcohol are sold by the oz., and cannister fuel is also available. The hiker hostel, which includes a shower w/towel and a bunk, is available for all hikers on a first come first served basis fo $15. Laundry facilities are available for an additional $3. Dogs must stay outside the hostel. A mail drop service is available, but Winton requests that people mail packages within one week of their arrival. Calling to inform the store of an incoming package would be appreciated. The store can also mail out packages using UPS services. More information can be obtained at the Mountain Crossings web site, www.mountaincrossings.com or by emailing Winton Porter at: mountaincrossings@alltel.net
• North on US 19/129 3.0 miles is Vogel State Park with cabins, campsite, limited supplies, laundry, telephone, hot showers and friendly folks.
• North on US 19/129 3.5 miles from Neels Gap is Goose Creek Cabins and campground. Single rooms cost and rooms with kitchens. Contact Keith and Retter Bailey, 7061 Goose Creek, Blairsville, Georgia 30512, (706)745-5111.
• South on US 19/129 0.3 miles is Blood Mountain Cabins (each sleeps up to six) with showers and kitchens. 706-745-9454 or 800-284-6866 or E-Mail: bloodmtn@alltel.net
At Unicoi Gap (GA Hwy. 75)
• Helen, Georgia is 10 miles south on Hwy. 75 with alpine tourist theme, post office, stores, fast food, small hiking shop, expensive hotels, laundry, restaurants. Check Helen Chamber of Commerce web site: www.helenchamber.com.
At Dicks Creek Gap (GA Hwy. 76)
• Clayton, Georgia is 18 miles to the east with stores, motels, laundry, restaurants, theater, fast food, post office.
• Hiawassee, Georgia is 11 miles to the west with post office, Mull's Motel, Waffle Shack, Georgia Mountain Restaurant, good grocery store, laundry. Everything is centralized for easy walking. If you need a shuttle back to any part of the A.T. in Georgia, call Gene Hamilton, (706) 896-2077, or ask Mull's Motel manager. The Hiawassee Inn, 193 E. Main St. (Hwy. 76) (800) 711-6961 has rooms for $42-$44 and will provide transportation back to Dick’s Creek Gap or Unicoi Gap after a night’s stay. (no pets)
• Blueberry patch hostel is 3.5 miles to the west, look for sign on left side of highway. It is an organic farm and hostel owned by ’91 thru-hiker Gary Poteat and his wife Lennie. Overnight stay includes shower, laundry, breakfast and a ride back to the A.T. at 9:30 AM. There are bunks for 6 people, 4 others can tent on site, no dogs allowed. Hikers should plan to arrive at the hostel between 10 AM and 6 PM. The Poteats will hold UPS and Postal Service packages mailed to 5038 US Hwy. 76E, Hiawassee, GA 30546 for hikers who plan to stay a night. Phone number is (706) 896-4893. The hostel is open for Northbounders February 15th -April 30th. Southbounders may call to make arrangements in the fall.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME INFORMATION STATED HERE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND IS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE GEORGIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB. ALL INFORMATION SHOULD BE CONFIRMED AHEAD OF TIME.
