Sat, Jan 3 2009 - Dayhike the GA AT - Section 1: Springer Mtn to Hightower Gap (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Geri Dominguez, Tony C, cliff j Participants: Tony C, Scott Looper, Caroline, Ed Doran, Ralph Howard, Rafiq, patricia, cliff j, Jenna B, Jaime, Sunnie, Gary Hubert, Ann, Geri Dominguez

Click for Album

Write Up:
We had a somewhat soggy, but still superb start to the Dayhike the GA AT series. After a fairly tedious drive to the trailhead (the gravel roads slowed us down a bit), we made it to Springer parking. Because we would be coming back down this way, most of us left our packs in the cars, and it proved to be a good way to get warmed up. We enjoyed the climb and covered the .9 miles fairly quickly, passing a GATC trail maintenance crew on the way up, as well as the first BMT/AT junction.

We reached the summit of Springer and while there were only foggy views, we enjoyed checking out the southern terminus of the AT and reading some of the entries in the summit register stored there. After taking some photos and checking out the Springer shelter, we headed back down...to get our packs and continue along the trail towards Hightower Gap.

We weren't sure what to expect from this first section but it ended up giving us a few pleasant surprises...it was very lush and green in parts... and with the warm temps, it seemed more like late Spring than early Jan. We crossed a few small creeks and stopped for a break at the Stover Creek shelter.

Soon thereafter, we reached Three Forks and crossed a lovely creek (see pics) which reminded one many in the Smokies. From here we proceeded down the trail which ran parallel to Long Creek for awhile...we found one waterfall down a steep side trail and then a few minutes later stopped for a lunch break at Long Creek Falls. Rafique and Tony brought chips and cookies for lunch...most had healthier fare...Gary was the smartest one with his cold pizza approach to mid hike nourishment.

Well fed and rested, we jumped back onto the trail....stopping for a short break at a huge open field that seemed out of place in the dense forest around it. From there it wasn't too far back down to Hightower Gap and the end of this first section, the least strenuous, but likely one of the most scenic of the series.

---