The Springer Mt. Approach Trail

Amicalola Falls State Park - Mile 16 - Mar 31_st, 2018

The Approach Trail is technically the official starting spot for hiking the Appalachian trail per the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. It is where you can weigh your packs and get a pack "shake down" to see if you are carrying the things you need and nothing more. Some people don't want to hike the dreaded 700 stairs to the top of the falls but I did along with Joe and our heavy packs! Hiking up those dreaded stairs to the top of the falls and then the Approach trail is a rite of passage for Appalachian trail thru-hikers and section hikers. So we set out to tackle this controversial trail so that I could say I had accomplished it and went through the complete process that other AT hikers have gone through for the sake of bragging rights of course!

The one thing about the Approach trail is, you will know if you have what it takes, there is no warm up it gets straight to the steep climbs and dreaded descents. The most wonderful thing about this hike is the fact that I had my hiking partner with me. Joe and I have never gone hiking without the other one, we are always together. I will later see how much I depended on my best friend's company and just plain ole presence.

We started out in the rain but eventually it stopped for the day, we met a lot of thru hikers starting their journey and many section hikers. I had never seen the Georgia trails so this was a nice change, the Approach trail is a very good trail for weekend hikes if you like somewhat tough hikes and just wanted to get away. I was surprised that their wasn't more water sources, you basically have to hike 5.5 miles without a water source which is harsh considering all the steep inclines (5) you have to trek over but we made it. This was definitely one of those hikes that will have you second guessing everything in your pack due to how heavy it is, this is why people have pack shake downs because the people going thru your pack knows what you will need and whAt you won't.

We finally make our way to our first shelter, Black gap shelter, and immediately start setting up our tents. There were at least 7 other tents and hammocks along with people in the shelters. It was nice being able to spend this time with my husband and just be out in the middle of nowhere just doing our thing. At one point during the day I had to take a "nature break" so I I had to hike a good ways off the trail to keep from being seen, I was so thankful that I had my man there to look out for me, he is my rock! We get stressed sometimes when we're on the trail and are just plain tired but when we are out there we are teammates as one and always look out for each other. We always have each other's backs whether for potty breaks or checking each other's water or just the moral support which out on the trail is huge!

I decided to set up my tent so I could get used to it since I would soon be on the trail for weeks. As soon as we finally fell asleep it started storming and pouring down raining.....so much for sleep, oh and did I mention how cold it got... I didn't know it at the time but Joe's tent had leaked and he had water cuddling in his tent which got his down sleeping bag and down puffy jacket soaked which means you are freezing,once down is wet it is no good to you. His goofy self did not tell me so I had no clue, if I had known we could have huddled up in my tent and kept each other warm. By 5am I was wide awake to the sound of ice hitting our tents...omg I couldn't believe the temperature had dropped that much, we later found out it was 29 in some places near us and 33 at the bottom of the mountain at the visitors center where we started from, I felt so bad for Joe when I found out what he went thru. We used what hand warmers we had, I didn't bring my gloves but luckily I had a fresh pair of socks to put on my hands. After we loaded up our wet tents as best as we could we packed up and headed back down the mountain. It was so cold I could barely even tie my shoes due to my fingers freezing....we were both miserable and ready to be done so 8 miles back down the mountains we go but at least we were together! We made better time going back than coming up...imagine that, HA! I think it only took us about 5hrs whereas it took about 8 going up.

It's amazing, I now realize how much one can withstand as long as you are with someone you love and loves you that will do anything for you, just knowing they are close can get you through the toughest times.

With legs shaking from exhaustion we made it back down the 700 steps from the falls and to the visitors center to get fresh coffee! The Springer Approach trail was done!