Where do hikers who choose to do the Approach trail generally spend their first night out? Black Gap Shelter on the Approach Trail (1.5 miles from start of AT)…or Springer Mountain Shelter, which seems to be .2 miles down the trail?
C-Giddy
First Night... - Appalachian Trail
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#3
I plan to spend the night of the 28th at the visitor’s shelter just a stones throw away from the center, hike out at a slow pace to make springer by noon or 2pm, hang out and see who shows for the march 1st start.
burn
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#4
I think it all depends on how much mileage you want to do the first day. Your options include the State Park shelter, Len Foote Hike Inn, Black Gap Shelter, Springer Mountain Shelter, and Stover Creek.
Myself, it was late morning by the time I started, so I had time to get to Stover Creek Shelter that first day/night.
Peaks
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#5
Start the morning of the 29th at the visitor’s center, and should arrive at Springer about 3-4 pm. Given the large number of people on trailjournals starting 29th/1st, I will probably tent.
“30-30”
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#6
Actually there are many choices as mentioned in the postings above but for me it would depend on where I started the hike. If I start at Amicoloa Lodge I would do the 7-8 miles up the mountain and spend the first night at the Springer Mountain Shelter (or nearby as I am hammocking), but if I get a ride up Forest Road # 42 I could hike the 0.9 mile trail to Springer Mountain top sign in and then make it to Hawk Mountain Shelter and be about 8 miles up the AT.
Oh, there is one more choice (among many) and that is to do the 0.9 mile hike south from FR 42 and then hike to the Springer Mountain Shelter for a very short first day. Nah! That would be too easy (but it might be very social).
Skylander
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#7
If you stay in the shelter at Amicoloa be sure to say howdy to Troy and the rest of his mice friends.It kinda gets you in the right frame of mind about having visitors in your sleeping bag.Enjoy your hike and have a great time.:cheers
Bill Harris
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#8
Bill, Troy died years ago, now it is his great great gazzillion children…oh, i got an email from Hikerman I think that drew attention that it was a leap year, and yes the 29th I will hike to springer and spend the night, trying to see who gets there to start March 1st
CG it will be hard not to want to press on and start gaining milage. I would suggest staying at springer to regroup after the approach trail to get ready for the long haul. we may have to go a ways to collect firewood for that big march1st midnight sendoff party. lol
burn
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#9
Hey Burn,it grieves me deeply to hear of Troys demise.They are a tight group, to have that many show up for the funeral.In 2000 we spent too much time at Amicalola Falls waiting for our third person to show.My one partner and I hiked the approach twice because of nervious enegery.I agree,start the approach and get to Springer early so you have options.It’s interesting to do the approach trail to see STUFF that has been discarded.Funniest was 2 four packs of enegery drinks.
Have a great hike and enjoy the trail.Will be watching for your start.:cheers
Bill Harris
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#10
I don’t know if I’ll do the approach the next time, but this past year it was Springer all the way. Why stop at Black Gap when Springer’s so close!
bearbait
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#11
well burn, youll see me on the 29th on the approach, so If your dead keen, Ill share some vegemite+cheese sandwhiches with you on march 1st at the visitor shelter 
keep an eye out for the mad aussie wearing a kilt. I gotta wait for Joy to catch up on the 1st, so i’ll be milling around the car/suv/tank/hummer/horse/inlaws/family/dog parking lot…
Bloody Cactus
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#12
If you get an early start (say around 8am) from Amicalola Stover Creek is a good choice. I found I reached the summit of Springer early afternoon so elected to go on to Stover, ther’s some nice tenting spots there if you want to camp out.
Downunda
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#13
We stopped at Black Gap last April and a bear wiped out our food. He was getting the food bags almost every night.
Onetrackmind
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#14
Downunda is absolutely right about Stover Creek’s wonderful camp sites. They are like a plush pine forest next to a rolling stream. It is in a deep hollow, so watch for the condesation, but what a great site and only a 100 to max 200 yards off trail.
I can’t wait BC…we’re gonna kill the bear! BTW I like the beard!
burn