The Approach Trail
October 15, 1938 75 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia are protected
by limiting road incursions and foresting with a one-mile boundary
secured
by an agreement between the National Park Service and the Forest Service.or
The Trail goes through the rugged Chattahoochee
National Forest before reaching its southern terminus at Springer
Mountain. Be forewarned that you first have to hike eight miles from Amicalola
Falls to reach the beginning of the Trail's southern end.
The Appalachian Trail begins in Georgia at Springer
Mountain and leaves the Peach State 75 miles later at Bly Gap. The rugged,
often rocky terrain reaches a height of more than 4400 feet and never
dips below 2500 feet. Access to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail
is by foot.
From its start 8 miles north of popular Amicalola
Falls it winds north past mountains with names like Blood, Trey and Big
Cedar and through gaps named Addis, Neels and Woody. Snow is not uncommon
on the Trail begining in October and cold weather is a concern through
April. Late fall is hunting season, so special care must be taken during
that time.
The trail is a microcosm of the natural history
of the North Georgia mountains. It follows the high eastern ridge of the
Appalachian Mountains. Much of the trail is covered with snow in the winter.
Spring melts give way to many of the wildflowers common throughout the
mountains including bloodroot, trillium, and azalea. Mountain Laurel and
rhodedendron " bloom in the early summer and cover much of the clear
areas of the trails. Forests are mostly second growth hardwood with hickory,
oak and poplar dominating.
