Springer Mountain, GA (Andre)

Packs at Springer Mountain, Southern Terminus of AT

Amicalola Falls State Park

When Dylan, our oldest son, was about 2 months old, Laura gave me a pair of hiking boots and said when our kid (2.75 years later, kids) were older, we could return to hiking and other things we suspected we might set aside for a while. Well, many pairs of hiking boots later for all of us, we found ourselves yesterday within range of the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail! (From Duncan, SC to Amicalola Falls State Park, GA about a 3.5 hour drive).

Amicalola Falls state park boasts the highest waterfall in the southeast at 729 feet. And, being the home of the beginning or end of the AT, depending on which way you look at it, we were coming for a visit. We have hiked the AT from the PA/NJ line to the VT/NH line over the years and as you may know, we intend to hike the whole trail next spring. Today was a good opportunity to check out the sites, do some scouting, and connect some dots.

Well, 17 miles later, we made it back to the van and the comforts of home. While the AT is in the park, it is an 8.5 mile hike to get to the start of the trail. We knew it was a long hike, we knew the weather was foreboding, but we also knew the golden opportunity in front of us. It was great to be back on the trail, to see where it all starts or ends, and to envision another part of the adventure in front of us.

Of course, as we were done smiling once we reached the AT, had a quick late lunch, and took some pictures, in came the weather! The wind kicked up, the temp dropped (mid to upper 30s), and once we passed the last shelter, the lightning started, and eventually we even got some hail. As you might imagine, the 8.5 miles back to the van were a bit quicker than those to the AT. But, it’s not a bad thing when you are soaking wet, tired, and hungry, and coincidently, your house is in the parking lot!

Not sure where to next, but it was nice to meet the southern end of the AT after all these years. (Actually, I am pretty sure there is a really good brewery in Athens, GA, about 50 or so miles away, I suspect we may be there tomorrow.)