Hi Everyone! I just reached the lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park last night after a long day of travelling from New York City where I spent the weekend with my family. All told, it took me a plane, shuttle, bus, train, and taxi to get here at around 11pm. Today, I walked outside the beautiful lodge here to find it snowing…
Appalachian Trail 2004
Springer Mt.
Day #1 of my adventure is finally here!!! I left the lodge at 9:30 this morning after a nice breakfast, and walked under bright blue skies all day on very level and easy trail to Springer Mt. and the southern terminus of the AT. Saw a few local day hikers on my way to Springer who were amazed to see me in shorts and a t-shirt, themselves bundled as if it was still mid-winter on such a nice day.
Gooch Gap
The weather was so beautiful today that I decided to leave my schedule a bit and push on a bit further. Went past Hawk Mt. Shelter with the trail all to myself and up and over some sun-soaked hills (albeit still dead and leafless since it's still early for spring even in Georgia) where I promptly did a nice job of starting myself on a good sunburn.
Neels Gap
Another carbon copy day today of the first few with more blue skies and beating sunshine, although the temps are still around 50 in the mountains and around 30 or so at night. Pushed on ahead a bit more today, opting to get to the Hostel and Mountain Crossings Outfitter Store at Neels Gap (Walasi-Yi).
Low Gap
Date: 3/13/04 Starting Location: Neels GapDestination: Low Gap ShelterMiles: 10.6Total Miles: 49.9
Blue Mt.
Date: 3/14/04 Starting Location: Low Gap ShelterDestination: Blue Mt. ShelterMiles: 7.2Total Miles: 57.1
Deep Gap
Date: 3/15/04 Starting Location: Blue Mt. ShelterDestination: Deep Gap ShelterMiles: 14.8Total Miles: 71.9
Dicks Creek Gap
Date: 3/16/04 Starting Location: Deep Gap ShelterDestination: Dicks Creek Gap, US 76Miles: 3.5Total Miles: 75.4
Muskrat Creek
Date: 3/17/04 Starting Location: Dicks Creek Gap, US 76Destination: Muskrat Creek ShelterMiles: 11.6Total Miles: 87.0
Carter Gap
Date: 3/18/04 Starting Location: Muskrat Creek ShelterDestination: Carter Gap ShelterMiles: 12.5Total Miles: 99.5