GA winter backpacking trip

[cmm26]

Wish I had known about this site a couple of years ago. Ok, now with that said, I am looking for a spot for a good 4-6 day backpacking trip with my girlfriend. Any of you guys have any suggestions on a route that would limit backtracking?

I had thought about maybe starting on the AT at Springer Mountain, but we will only have one vehicle so we would require a shuttle service. Are there any in the area?

Thx in advance.

[natchez]

cmm26 welcome to the forum :) the expert on the AT trail on this forum is bdavison, I hope he will respond to you :)

[bdavison]

Sorry about the long response time.
If you contact Mountain Crossings at Neels gap, they can direct you to the local charters that can take you to the base of Springer Mtn. Usually its just local folks willing to help hikers vs a commercial charter. If you have a truck you can drive to the base of springer. You could also start at the Amicalola approach trail, although it will add 8 miles to your trip.

Depending on your athletic ability, a good 4-5 day hike would be from springer mtn to neels gap. You should be able to make it from springer to the hawk mountain shelter on the first day. Once there, you can evaluate your ability to continue. Once you leave Hawk Mtn, the trail gets tougher.
It will cross through hightower gap, which is about halfway, and cross FS42. Get ready for a rigorous climb up over Sassafras Mtn, the trail will go up and down a few times till you reach gooch gap.
Once you pass gooch gap, the trail tones down a bit, and is easier. You will again go up and down quite a few mountains, till you reach Blood Mountain. Stock up on at least 3qts before you start climbing Blood Mtn. Take the time to spend a while at the top of Blood, the views are spectacular. On the other side of blood you will descend into Neels Gap.


During the beginning parts of your trip, water shouldnt be too hard to find. There are plenty of places to get water before hawk mountain, and there is a spring on the top of hawk mountain near the shelter, and the short side trip to visit three forks falls is worth the trip.

When you pass Gooch gap, watch your water, and definatly stock up at least 3qts before summitting blood mountain. There is NO water on blood mtn, and its really easy to get dehydrated up there.

Enjoy your trip.

[cmm26]

Well, after thinking about it, and considering it will be my girlfriend's first backpacking experience, I have decided to take her on an easier route first. I researched some of the trails associated with northern alabama and found out about the Sipsey Wilderness. I found a couple of suggested loops for it. I figured we would try it out and see how it was.

If we have time after backpacking the Sipsey Wilderness, I may take her up to Blood Mountain. I've been there many years ago and thought it held a wonderful view. Also, living in South Alabama, you very rarely get to see much snow so it will be a nice change of scenery.

[natchez]

Well, I hope you and your girlfriend will have a marvelous time, cmm26 - and perhaps you can write about this experience here afterwards ;)