Date: 2008-02-11
To: Amicalola Falls SP - Springer - Blood Mtn Weekend
Miles today: 0.0

AMICALOLA FALLS   STATE PARK      SPRINGER MTN   BLOOD MTN   WEEKEND   February 8-11, 2008    ( See PHOTO'S )      Friday - February 8th----------------------      Drove up to Amicalola Falls State Park.   I arrived around dusk and the park is beautiful. I rented Cottage 5 which is down by the Visitors Center. I had a great seafood buffet up at the Lodge and then called it an early night.   Saturday ¢ February 9th------------------------   Woke-up to a beautiful blue sky day. Walked across the street to the AFSP Visitors Center where I met several of the park staff and checked out the Stone Arch and Stone Monument marking the start of the 8.5 mile Approach Trail to Springer Mountain and the Appalachian Trail.   From the Visitors Center I hiked up the ¢New¢ Approach Trail which is the path and 625 stairs that runs next to Amicalola (water) Falls up to the Lodge. The Lodge is a beautiful huge Motel/Restaurant/Conference Center that sits looking out over a spectacular mountain valley.   I had breakfast at the Lodge and then hiked down the West Side trails back to the Visitor Center. Then I hiked up the ¢Old¢ wooded Approach Trail that swings out to the east away from the falls and the creek up to the Lodge for lunch, and back down the old trail again.      It is a mile each way from the Visitors Center to the Lodge. Today was a good workout. I need to get in as many trail miles as I can these next several weeks.      After dark I drove up to the Lodge for another excellent buffet dinner.      Sunday - February 10th-----------------------   Another beautiful blue sky day.   I ate a banana and granola bar for breakfast at the cottage and spent some of the morning reading through the Thru Hikers Handbook. Then I hiked up the old wooded Approach Trail to the Lodge for lunch.   I came back down via the stairs and drove out of the park heading to Springer Mtn.             I took the fire road to the parking lot and hiked the .9 mile south on the AT to the top of Springer. It was about 5:00 pm with the sun setting and a cold blistery wind. I was the only one there and it was almost a spiritual experience to finally see the famous metal plaques in real life.      I hung my camera from a tree and took several pictures of me with the plaque and the first white blaze of the Appalachian Trail.   I stayed about an hour and had to scurry back down the trail to get back to the van before dark.      Last week someone told me about the trail from Neel Gap to Blood Mtn. So I drove from Springer Mtn. to Dahlonega, GA and stayed there overnight. I'll do Blood Mtn tomorrow.   Monday February 11th----------------------      Clear blue sky day.   Drove up to Neel Gap in Blairsville, GA. I met the great crew at Mountain Crossings Outfitters and bought an Etowah alcohol stove.   Then I hiked the 2.4 miles up to the Blood Mtn Shelter, hung out there for a while soaking in the views and the wonderfly peaceful sense of wellbeing that comes from being out in the wilderness - then reluctantly headed back to Neel Gap.   This was my first real taste of the Applachain Trail and I LOVED IT.The weather and the views were Awesome. I really felt at home on the Trail.    Now I know for sure that this is what I want to.   I can¢t wait to get out on the trail with my pack heading to Maine.   After a late lunch in Dahlonega I headed home.   28 Days to go . . .    -Wes-