Do yall have any suggestions for myself (47) and my son (13) to take as in introduction to the AT? We will be going to No. GA & NC area in a few days, and we plan to do some short hiking for now, hopefully followed by more lengthy hiking over the next few years as we get acclimated…thanks
brent
You have lots of choices. It is always pretty cool to see and start at the beginning at Springer. You can day hike around that area or overnight, one or two, from Springer to Suches, GA. Lots of good and interesting hiking around Standing Indian Mountain. I personally like the area around Hot Springs, NC, especially Max Patch Bald. One of the prettiest areas on the AT is in the Grayson Highlands in southern Virginia. If you can give the readers a little more of an idea of where you will be driving, I am sure you will get lots of great ideas. Great hiking, PaPa Larry
PaPa Larry
great suggestions, papa larry!..(whew!..there are so many beautiful places to choose!)…another choice might be franklin to fontana (ah yes!!..wayah bald…jump-up lookout…cheoah bald and the dam)…of course, the smokies are always fabulous (if the weather is nice to you)…in ga, paw-ee and i really loved blood mtn. and wolf laurel top over to hiawasee, too…and if you head north just a bit, you absolutely cannot beat northeast tennessee!..the best of everything!..wow!..father and son out hikin’ the AT!..THOSE are the BEST kinds of memories!..have fun!
maw-ee
As it has been suggested Mount Rogers is a great place to go. It was the first place that I went on an overnight backpacking trip when I was 8, so I am especially fond of the area. If you decide to go in August, there are “millions” of wild blueberries on the trails. My favorite trails up that way are the AT/Pine Mountain Loop (10-11 miles) and gives one a good work out.
My other favorite place is the AT on Roan Mountain. Park at Carvers Gap (5512’) and hike over several balds all above 5000’, with outstanding views on a clear day. One time when I was there, I could see all the way to the Smoky Mountains! After the balds, begin a long descent down to the “barn” shelter. This makes for a good place to camp or spend the night in the shelter. Next day, you are greeted by a 900’ climb in 1.8 miles, but the view from Little Hump Mountain is worth it. Continue on the trail until you begin to climb the 400 acre and 5587’ bald. Once again 360 degree views await at the top and makes the climb well worth the effort in getting there.
I fell in love with both Rogers and Roan while in school at Appalachian. Much of my free time was spent in both areas and whenever my friends would ask where I was going, I would say “Roaming Roan or Rogers”. Enjoy your hike.
Trekking Trav
I’d have to agree with the Roan Mnt suggestion. I was there just yesterday and did the hike to the red barn (Overmountain Shelter). The views from the balds are spectacular. From the Carver’s Gap parking area the Barn shelter is about 4.7 miles mostly downhill. You could continue on the next day to the 19E highway about 8 or 9 miles, if you can make some pick up arrangements, or you could hike back up to Carvers Gap. Don’t leave a car at 19E however because there is a good chance of vandalism.
Wes
ALL of the above, are good choices.
My recommendation is to hike into Hot springs, or Hike into the NOC (“Nanathala Outdoor Center” and go rafting afterwards, or take a one day kayak class together)
I like to include multiple activitys when I take my son out. Oh , wait, I don’t have a son.
sniff.
jack bailey
Just got back from a one week section hike back into Erwin, TN with a group of High School seniors and the trail is in great shape. Excellent maintenance. Iron Mountain Gap over Unaka Mountain to Beauty Spot (get you water at the gap before camping on Beauty Spot) then on to Erwin is nice and you can stop at the Nolichucky Gorge camp ground and set up a river raft trip. The section from B S into Erwin is fast. The sunrises and sunsets on Beauty Spot is great! The trail is very diverse and will give you an idea of what to expect on the AT (from the boreal forest on Unaka to the bald at Beauty Spot to the stream before Nolichucky Gorge). There are several shuttle services in Erwin. I prefer Ms. Janet.
My dad took me on my first hike on the AT in 1951.
Happy Trails, Papa Smurf GA-ME '02
Papa Smurf