Springer
Mountain in southern Fannin County is the
start of a 2,000+ mile trek to Maine's Mount
Katahdin known as the Appalachian Trail. As
the trail follows the eastern ridge of the
Appalachian Mountains it passes through 14
states, and although the slogan is "Maine
to Georgia," most people hike the trail
the other way, Georgia to Maine. Georgia's
mild climate plays a role in this, since hikers
like to start the 6 month trek in April. Another
reason: the toughest part of the trail, in
New Hampshire and Maine is saved for last,
when hikers are in condition to handle it.
Georgia has nearly eighty miles of the AT running from
Springer Mountain on the Fannin-Gilmer line to Bly Gap, where the trail
enters North
Carolina. Some excellent backpacking
adventures await those who decide to hike the Georgia portion of this
National Scenic Trail.
The
Appalachian Trail begins at Springer, and
follows a rocky ridge line almost due north
to the Springer Mountain Parking Area. It
climbs and descends Rich Mountain before reaching
Three Forks. This is the well known confluence
of Stover, Long, and Chester Creek to form
Noontootla Creek. From here the trail climbs
along and near Long Creek to Long
Creek Falls, one of the area's most popular
waterfalls. A few steps after this waterfall
the Benton
MacKaye Trail comes off to the left, and
the Duncan Ridge Trail begins.
From this point the Appalachian Trail makes a wide right
turn and begins the climb to Hawk Mountain.
As you walk along the ridge before Hawk Mountain,
you leave Fannin County and enter Union County.
There is a scenic view of the Etowah River
Valley headwaters from the top of this peak.
The AT then returns to Forest Service Road
42 at Hightower Gap. This gap is where Forest
Service Road 69, home to the Chattahoochee
Fish Hatchery and the Swinging Bridge
on the Benton MacKaye Trail, ends.
On the Appalachian Trail there are three
shelters for hikers:
Springer Mountain Shelter (0.2 miles after the start
of the AT) - Spring for water and privy
Stovall Creek Shelter - (2.5 miles) - Stovall Creek for water
Hawk Mountain Shelter (Union County)
(7.6 miles) - Headwaters of Long Creek for water, privy
Please note: After Hawk Mountain the next shelter is on Gooch
Mountain
(14.9 miles)
There are three day-use parking
areas covering the Fannin County section of
the Appalachian Trail, two on FS 42 ( Springer
Mountain and Hightower Gap) and on FS 58 at
Three Forks that is heavily used because of
Long
Creek Falls.
*The above information
is from the Fannin
County Chamber of Commerce website. Be
sure to visit their site for more detailed
information.
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Now
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If you see something you like or if you have
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.
