Need help planning a Georgia AT hike.

[Jeff65SS]

I am planning to do my first thru hike next weekend. It will be a 3 day hike and I'm planning on starting at Amicalola Falls and heading north. What I'm wondering, is what is a good distance to cover for a rookie on a 3 day hike, and where would be a good place to end? Neels Gap? I will be hiking with my wife and a friend, and I don't want to push them or myself too hard. Hopefully there will be a good area to park a car for a few days till we get to our destination. Any advice is welcome as this is my first hike. Thanks!!

[DuctTape]

7-10 miles per day is a comfortable, prudent number. I think Amicalola to Neels Gap would be too far for your 3 day hike - make it 4 days if can. Other alternatives if you're set on three days would be to take a ride up FS 42 to the top of Springer and finish at Neels Gap, or do Amicalola - Woody Gap.

Always, my #1 tip for general advice is to make sure that your shoes fit well - the weight of a backpack can change the fit of a shoe and cause your feet to rub in different places. Blisters can really ruin a hike.

[bdavison]

Its highly doubtful that you could hike Amicalola to Neels gap in three days. Especially if you are new to hiking.

Gooch or Woody Gap would be a much better choice.
Day 1 - Amicalola to Springer Mtn - 8.8miles
Day 2 - Springer to Hawk Mtn - 7.6 miles
Day 3 - Hawk Mtn to Woody Gap - 12.3 miles

[bdavison]

Also, there is parking at Amicalola and at Woody Gap.
The parking at Neels Gap is limited. You cannot park at Mountain Crossings, you would have to park at the trailhead just up the road.

Woody Gap is on a hwy 60, and has a large parking lot there. Amicalola...well...its amicalola, there is LOTS of parking there.

Dont forget when you hit springer mtn, to look for the trail register and sign it. Its located in the big rock with the AT plaque on it. Lift the little metal hinged door on the side, and pull out the ziplock bag. Inside is a pencil/pen and a notebook. Sign in, and then replace it in the rock.

[Jeff65SS]

Woody Gap it is. That sounds like plenty far for me. Glad to hear that there is parking, that was on eof my main concerns. What is the registry for?

[bdavison]

The registry is just a trail record of who's hiking the trail. It helps the Appalachian Trail Conservancy get an idea of traffic on the trail, so they can plan projects to benefit the trail. It also serves as a possible rescue aid if a hiker goes missing. All the logs go into state records when the logbook gets full, so its a permanent record of hikers on the trail.

Aside from all that...Its fun to read through all the other people that have started their AT journey. Its kinda like a journal for the trail.

[jake4507]

Hey. I will make a new thread for this, but figured I'd post here since you guys have already kind of gone over this. My girlfriend and I are looking for somewhere to hike for 3-4 days this monday. Looking for something moderate to difficult as she is very familiar w/ hiking. Any suggestions for us?

[stonemark]

that point looks like a great site for travel~
share pictures with us
http://georgiatrails.com/images/amicalola_falls_from_crossover.jpg