Miles Hiked 9.0
Elevation 3,698
Miles Hiked Today 9.0
Here I am right where I started – almost. This morning I left Ellijay and drove 23 miles to Amicalola Falls State Park. The Appalachian Trail approach trail starts here. It’s an 8.8 mile hike to the Appalachian Trail southern terminus. I arrived at 10:30 AM and checked in. I’ll leave my car here while I’m hiking. About 10:45, I started up the trail. When I say “up” its not a figure of speech. The trail quickly comes to a set of metal stairs. There are over 604 of them. Ugh!
So why the AT again? I’m testing my left ankle. When I tore the tendon on the Pacific Crest Trail last year, I thought that was the end of my hiking days. The doctors say there is nothing supporting balance on my left foot. That doesn’t make for safe hiking. So I wear a brace and a lot of physical therapy has made hiking possible again, hopefully.
I knocked out the stairs pretty quick but even so, the trail continued going up. As I was hiking, I pondered my surroundings. Over the last six years I’ve hiked in many diverse environments. The desert, 13,000 foot mountains and of course the forest. Hiking forests and the Appalachian Trail will always be my favorite. There’s just something about the green tunnel that’s soothing.
The trail had its share of ups and downs. In total, the trail ascents were over 3,000 feet. That will tire you out. There weren’t many hikers on the trail since most choose not to do the approach trail for good reason.
I made good time considering I haven’t hiked in a year. The Appalachian Trail southern terminus came into view at 4:00 PM. It’s been seven years since I was here at the start of my first long section hike on the AT. I stopped for a moment of nostalgia and then continued on.
It was another 10 minutes to the Springer Shelter. I spent a lot of nights in shelters when I did the AT in previous years. Today, I prefer my tent, but it’s suppose to storm tonight. I hate putting away a wet tent, so I secured a spot in the crowded shelter. It will probably be rough sleeping tonight.
