Thru-hiker Parking at Amicalola State Park

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#1

I had read that NOBO thru-hikers can park their car at Amicalola Falls State Park (in the main parking lot next to the park office) and actually leave it there for the 6 month duration - paying only two dollars for the entire time.

I then called the State Park and they confirmed what I had heard - just advised the lot might be full on a weekend, but should be enough room during the week to park.

Does anyone know of any drawbacks to leaving your car in their lot? Is it (relatively) safe there? Thanx.

Brutus

#2

If you plan on a thru-hike . . . why would you want to leave a vehicle at Amicalola State Park. I doubt anyone would mess with it. The parking lot is right in front of the vistors center.

But why ?

South Bound Hound

#3

I chatted with them about this and was assured that they had never had a car vandalized. I was even told that there was a car there that had been there for three years.

One master thru-hiker told me he was going to buy a $250 junker and drive it to the park from Louisiana. He might or might not pick it back up.

I think you’re safe.

Kinnickinic

Sawnie Robertson

#4

OK, Kinnickinic, I have to ask: What is a MASTER thru-hiker?

And a comment: That’s just what we need, thru-hikers abandoning junkers at Amicolola. Um, has it dawned on anyone that the car that’s been there for three years might not ever be “recovered” by its owner?

“Skyline”

#5

So we seems to have strategies for everything else: pack weight; resupply; zero days; finances - why not transportation?

When I started my thru-hike last year I did what I bet a lot of folks have done - got a friend or family member to drop me off at a nearby bus station and took the Greyhound up to Bangor; then another bus to Millnocket; then a taxi to Baxter.

Folks, maybe I’m just getting old - but riding on a Greyhound and switching at those wonderfully clean bus terminals in DC and New York and Boston (actually, Boston was pretty nice) just isn’t that much fun. If no one else is using your car while gone - why not park it at ASP and start and hike the blue trail to Springer?

Of course, you have to get back from Baxter to your car. But this time around I’m going to try Amtrak. They have a train from Bangor to Gainesville (closer than Atlanta). And the total one-way cost is around $200 on the train. If you have enough cash left, you can even get a small sleeper room on the train - far better to spend the night than in a small seat next to God only knows whom on the bus.

If I do park at ASP, I’ve already got my CLUB for the steering wheel. Might add a cheap car cover to keep the elements away. Since I live near Harpers Ferry, it’s not that long a drive down (or back).

OR - I guess I could hunt for a really large bounce box and mail the sucker up to Baxter.

“Car been there for 3-5 years” - maybe the local cops ought to check up on that one. Hate to think some thru-hiker had an accident and was unable to return.

I have to chuckle at the idea of driving a clunker to ASP and perhaps not even picking it up. In a twisted sense, it kinda makes sense!

Brutus

#6

We did Amtrak on our way out to GA (Gainesville) and back home, too. Of course on the way home we got rides all the way to Schenectady, NY. I like the train. It can be kind of a pain in the butt, just cause it takes so long, but it’s a heck of a lot better than a Greyhound. Like, I don’t get nauseated for one thing. The scenery isn’t always the greatest, cause you’re going through all the “bad parts of town,” and it seems to always be nighttime when we go through the scenic parts, but oh well.
I think it’s irresponsible to drive a clunker & leave it at ASP. Another opportunity to give hikers a bad name. I wouldn’t even leave it there for 6 months. What if 2,000 people started doing that every year (not like they would, but you know.) How big is their lot, anyway?

Loony

#7

Believe I read their big lot can hold around 100 cars - not sure.

Now I’m getting a guilt complex about parking my car there for a thru-hike. Do you really think (sincerely) it presents a bad image? If there were that many folks doing so, wouldn’t the state park officials say something? When I talked to them on the phone they were cheerful and acted like it was both common and no big deal.

Brutus

#8

Brutus, Had me curious, so I checked Amtrak. They don’t list a train from Bangor to Gainsville. Best I could find was Portland to Atlanta, with three changes, for $154. For an additional $300, you can add a sleeper from Washington to Atlanta. Having ridden Amtrak recently, I cannot recommend it.

Harry Dolphin

#9

Harry Dolphin - you are right. You have to take the bus to Portland first. Sorry bout that.

Used to also here you couldn’t get through Boston on the train - train ended in North Boston and you had to get to South Boston to catch the next train. That is now changed - they do have a train (although you have to switch still).

I think the sleeper you quoted is for the room with it’s own shower. They have a cheaper sleeper that just has a sink and toilet.

The leg from DC to Atlanta runs overnight - kinda sounds nice for a sleeper and good night sleep. Why do you recommend against it?

Brutus

#10

I’ve taken Amtrak from R.I. to Gainesville 11 times in 18 years. 5 of those times I got a sleeper. Lots of fun. Highly recommend it.

Wolf

#11

Amtrak comes through Gainesville GA (50 miles north of Atlanta) on the way to D.C. twice a day, NOBO at around 9pm and SOBO in the early daylight hours. It is the last stop before Atlanta. I see folks reading newspapers in the dining car as it whizzes by in the evening, reminds me of my old HO train set.
(RockyTrail from the “bad” part of town hee hee :slight_smile: )

RockyTrail

#12

the ASP lot holds probably 30-40 cars and drops pine needles galore. If you do use it the car cover would be recomended.

The idea of dumping a car there should be squashed. People who would do that wouldn’t care what I thought, but figure a 250 car and the cost to drive that piece of junk there, liscensing, titling, 1 or possibly 2 20 dollar tires to get you going again when you break down along I-75, don’t forget the new battery the day you expect to leave or you could fly to atlanta and get a shuttle for a tad more and no issues with hikers or GA State park.

burn

#13

The bus from Medway to Boston is a great coach. One change in Bangor, and then it’s express to Boston. Only stops a few times. Very comfortable and relaxing. It’s a good way to get from Maine to Boston.

Recently, passenger train service has been restored between Boston’s North Station and Portland.

Train service along the east coast is great, as others have pointed out.

Peaks

#14

I would never have been able to do my thru-hike in 2002 if it were not for the kind folks that let me park there for $2. My hike was spur of the moment and was originally a 2 week trip in and out, until the ranger told me I could leave my truck there for 6 months. I then had the freedom to have one of the best experiences of my life and I will forever be indebted to the kind folks at ASP. My truck was fine, but a total mess from 6 months of neglect. It even started right up, even though I had forgotten to disconnect the battery.

The “master thru-hiker” you mention with the $250 junker which he plans to abandon is not what I would call a “master thru-hiker”, but rather a “master jackass”.

DO NOT ABANDON CARS AT ASP!!!

One of the things the ranger told me was that the only problem they have with being so generous this way is that people have abandoned cars there and it is a major hassle for them. Please do not ruin it for everyone by being a selfish jerk.

Hopfrog

#15

Just trying to remember costs for Amtrak. We came from Minnesota, and on the way out to GA, we got a 2 for 1 deal. It was around $150 total for both of us - just reserved seating, no sleeper. A pretty good deal! If cost is a concern, maybe a lone person could try hooking up w/another thru-hiker to share the $$? Also, I overheard a few people upgrading for cheap to sleeper cars while on the ride - a good way for the train to unload the xtra room…?
Hopfrog, I agree - there are certain circumstances where leaving a car might be the only way. Just so it doesn’t become a problem w/abandoning, etc. :slight_smile:

Loony

#16

I love taking the train. From Boston I usually take a Train to New York, there is one every half hour or so. Then In New York I switch to the Crescent. It Runs between NY and New Orleans. The train leaves NY city about 3:30 pm or so. You get to Gainville at approx 8:30 the next morning. If you get a sleeper, which I usually do, for one or two people, get the Viewliner Standard Bedroom. The Amenities in sleeping car include: Free meals and non alcohol drinks in dining car, Free coffee, bottle water, and soda in sleeping Car, use of First Class Lounge in NY City. Penn Station is huge and there are no lockers to secure pack, at the First Class lounge you have security and free pepsi, coffee and snacks. The sleeping car is separate from other cars, you can tarvel lentgh of the train, butthe sleeping car is restricted. Your pack is safe in your own room. In room movies, music also.

Chef