Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain

We'll enjoy late fall views from the top of the falls along the AT Approach Trail to Springer Mountain.  We ascend from the top of Amicalola Falls for about 4.5 miles, over Frosty Mountain and past the turnoff to the Hike Inn.  Continuing another 3.5 miles, down and up through Nimblewill Gap, will gain us the summit and a lunch stop atop Springer Mountain.  We'll return the same way, down the Approach Trail to Amicalola Falls.  This is a demanding day hike, with about 3500 vertical feet cumulative elevation gain, and we'll move about 2.5 - 2.7 mph.  Email the leader if you want to come but don't have recent D5 club experience.

DIRECTIONS from GA-400/ I-285 INTERCHANGE in N ATLANTA (Sandy Springs) to AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK  (about 60 miles or 90 minutes):

1.  From the GA- 400/ I-285 interchange go North on GA-400/US-19 N about 42 miles to the traffic light at GA-136 (a.k.a. Harmony Church Rd).
2.  Turn Left off GA-400 onto GA- 136 and follow it westward about 12 miles. 
3.  Bear Right onto GA- 342   (Bailey Waters Rd) and go about 3.6 miles.
4.  Turn Left onto GA-52 East  and go about 3.9 miles.
5.  Turn Right  onto Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, at the park entrance.
6.  After paying for parking at the park entrance or the ranger station, take a left at the ranger station and the road will climb steeply - turn right to find the top of the falls.  There are two parking lots at the top of the falls, and the trailhead is located next to the upper parking lot.  There is a restroom at the upper parking lot as well as at the ranger station below.

GPS and GOOGLE.COM/MAPS USERS may wish to augment the above directions by entering the Lodge street Address or Lat/Lon coordinates as your destination:
  418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534
    34.55782,-84.24957