Springer to Neels Gap

imported
#1

Hello everyone. My husband, 16 year old son, and myself will be hiking for a few days in mid-September. We are planning to hike from Neels Gap to Amicalola Falls State Park. I am gathering books and reading a lot of trail journals. I am 45, husband is 50 and we are in fairly good shape. Working hard to get in better shape, though… This probably sounds like a lame little hike for any seasoned hiker out there, but it will be a challenge for us. I am SO excited - it has been a dream of mine to hike the trail since I was a kid - this is a good compromise. Who knows, our short hike may lead to plans for a complete thru-hike… Anyways, any advice is very much appreciated -

donna

#2

That is how my husband and i started many many years ago. Just take your time and enjoy it. Don’t try to put in “thru-hiker” milage. Enjoy Blood Mt and all those between there and Springer. Sue/HH

HammockHanger

#3

I live near Neel Gap and have hiked that section from Amicalola to Neel. Day one – enjoy yourself browsing at Mountain Crossing Outfitter at Neel Gap.

Hike up to the Blood Mountain Shelter (whether you stay there or tent nearby) and enjoy the sunset and the sky from there. Spend the night there, it’s a great place for a first timer. Also the climb up Blood can be a challenge. CARRY enough water for your supper, breakfast and start of your next day’s hike.

From Blood, it’s a day hike to Woody Gap, where Hwy 60 crosses the Gap. Just as you get there, if you’ll look to your left, there is a neat place to put up a tent on a ledge. If it’s too wet or if it’s full of Scouters, take the trail down to the spring (blue blazed: “water”) and there are a lot of good flat places on that trail past the spring. It’s not used as a trail, so it’s fine to camp there.

Then hike to the new Shelter at Gooch Gap for lunch and then hike on to Justus Creek. This is a lovely area to spend the night.

The next night you have a number of options, depending on where you are when you want to stop. Three Forks (tenting), Stover Creek shelter (both tent or shelter), or hike on to Springer Mountain and stay at Springer (shelter or tent).

Then it’s a day hike down to Amicalola Falls Visitor Center.

If you hike shorter days, Black Gap Shelter is a mile and a half past Springer on the trail to Amicalola.

Enjoy your hiking here in North Georgia! Auntie Coosa

Coosa

#4

I would change Justus Creek to Gooch Mtn Shelter. It is a brand new shelter not far from Justus Creek. In fact, it is on a level trail to and from Justus Creek, so you can walk to Justus Creek in 15 mins. It has a ‘mouldering’ privy and a good water source.

I tented on that spot at Woody Gap where there is a ledge and got rained on only to discover I was in a puddle of water. Had to dry out my tent the next day.

Mr. Boo

#5

I’ve spent a lot of time hiking between Neels Gap and Amicolola. You should have a great time. Shelters are either new (Gooch Gap), or are in very good shape. IMO, the section between Hightower Gap (Hawk Mt Shelter) and Gooch Gap will “probably” be your toughest.

Long Creek Falls is a nice place for a break or lunch.

Enjoy!

JustHank

JustHank

#6

I agree that this is a great section of the trail and second the notion that the hike up Blood Mountain will be a lot of work. Take note of the balancing rock. The view from the top of Blood Mtn is fantastic, but you’re probably better tenting there.
I only took a quick stop at Justus Creek but it was beautiful so planning a stay there would make for a nice stop.
An overnight at the Amicalola Lodge could make for a nice end of the hike. It sits high on the hill overlooking the visitor’s center and can have excellent sunsets and sunrises.
Good luck!
Enjoy the tri

Merryhiker