Section hike in Georgia

imported
#1

Hey, I’m planning to 2-day section hike of the first 30 miles of the trail up to Neels gap. However, I would like to skip the 9 mile approach trail up to Springer. In the “Wingfoot” book it says the trail crosses a road at Big Stamp Gap on USFS Road 42, which is 1 mile up the trail from Springer. Would it be safe to park my car there for 2 days? Also, does anyone know exactly where Big Stamp is relative to a major road in Georgia? It’s not in my road Atlas. And if you don’t know, where could I find out exactly how to get there? Any help would be appreciated.

Demon Deac

#2

Check out www.georgiahikes.com

You’ll find some good info as well as maps there. There are also good directions to the parking area at http://www.bmta.org/trail_section_descriptions.htm ,see section one.

Hiker Dad

#3

Check out www.georgiahikes.com

You’ll find some good info as well as maps there. There are also good directions to the parking area at http://www.bmta.org/trail_section_descriptions.htm ,see section one.

CoolMoose

#4

I hiked that section last April,{Springer to N.C. Line} and I left my truck there for 1 week and nobody messed with it.It is A rather nice looking truck too.There are alot of curvy backroads to get up there and if you go during any rain that road can get pretty bad in spots but I have seen people drive mercedes up there before.I wish I knew all the road names to get u there but I just go and dont ever pay attention to the signs.If you ever go to REI there is A Chattahochee national forest ranger there on certain days and he has A big map and can tell u how to go.

Snowbird

#5

Thanks for the info Snowbird. What is REI? And do you happen to know the phone number of that ranger station because I plan on getting to Big Stamp Gap at night so the ranger station will be closed by then. And do you think maybe Amicola state park would have directions to Big Stamp Gap?

Demon Deac

#6

Recreation Equipment Internationale’? R U sure you’re a hiker? :>) www.rei.com = Candyland

BW

#7

You can go to the visitor’s center at Amicalola Falls State Park and they will give you a map and verbal directions. They do it so often, they do it from memory. Have a good time.

davepaumen

#8

From Ellijay (HWY 515) take HWY 52 east 4.7 miles. Turn LEFT on Big Creek Rd. Go 12.7 miles to FS42. Turn Left. Follow road to Springer Mtn Parking lot. From Amicalola Park: go HWY 52 west 14.5 miles to Big Creek Rd. Turn right.
***notes: Big Creek Rd is a nice paved road. FS42 is very rutted and very rough. From Dahlonega: take HWY 52 west…go approximatly 6 or 7 miles…cross Etowah River…From Etowah river procees west on HWY 52 3 miles. Turn right on Nimblewell Gap Rd (Grizzles Store) go 2.4 miles… Turn right on FS28-1…go 2 miles…bear left on FS 77…go 7 miles…turn left on FS 42…it is 2.5 miles to the Springer Mtn Parking lot. That last intersection is on the AT trail map…when you drive up FS 77 you turn left/west to drive to Springer on FS 42…you turn right/east to get to Hightower Gap on FS 42…or you go straight on FS 58 to get down to Three Forks. I have the exact mileage for these roads because it can get VERY FOGGY up there and you can get very lost in the dark when that happens. I do not know where you are driving from but look at your Atlas to determine if you would come from Ellijay or if you would come in from Dahlonega. Unless you are driving over from Chatanooga or Northwest Georgia you probably will come out Hwy 52 from Dahlonega and would want to come in Nimblewell Gap. Nimblewell Gap Road is 11 miles to the east on HWY 52 from the entrance of Amicola Park. I hope this helps…have a nice hike :slight_smile:

Sunny Waller

#9

I agree with all the above,There is A ranger on duty at Amicalola at certain times of the day with big wall maps to show you the way!Have A great time.I live very close to Amicalola and if u wanted to u could park your car there{where it is safer than at USFs42}I could shuttle yall to the trailhead depending on time of the week u plan to go,I have A 4 wheel drive Grand cherrokee.I go up to Springer on the weekends all the time!

Snowbird

#10

Thanks guys.

Demon Deac

#11

Anybody know the telephone number for the ranger’s office for the Springer Mtn Area??

Suni Waller

#12

706-265-4703

wolf