It got cold last night, and my 15-degree sleeping bag got a workout. My water bottle didn’t freeze, so the temperature was probably in the low 30’s. Sleeping in my tent was much better than sleeping in a shelter and I enjoyed the privacy. I woke up about 7 AM and was surprised to see not only two tents there from when I arrived late yesterday afternoon but several others. No one else was up and about at the campsite when I started breaking camp. By the time I packed everything away, it was 8:30 when I started back to Amicalola Falls.
Trekking back to the Falls was a bit easier since a majority of the footpath was either level or going down. I made good time and arrived at the Falls by 11:30 AM. Now I had the 604 step staircase with which to contend. I hadn’t eaten anything, so my energy level was down. Going down those steps with about 28 pounds on my back was not so easy. Nevertheless, I made it and came into the area at the lower levels where there were a lot of tourists. It is Saturday, a nice day, and it seems everyone decided to come to the Falls.
I got to my car a little after noon. In order to park in long term parking, I was given a card with an approximate day of my return. I had to turn that in, so they would know I’m not out on the trail somewhere lost. I tried to drive up to the visitor center, but it was car gridlock. There was no way I could reach it and no parking so I could run into the visitor center to turn the card in. Instead, I turned the car around and headed for the exit. The lady at the exit who collects fees from park visitors consented to accept the card and turn it in for me, so that takes care of that. Now, the nine hour drive home.
