Springer Mountain is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Georgia. Climbing its rocky slopes you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain range and the Appalachian Trail.
Name: Springer Mountain
Height: 1,164m (3.820 ft)
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains, Northern Georgia, USA
First Climbed: not known
Climb Time: 1 day +
Best Time to Climb: all year round
INTRODUCTION TO springer mountain
Springer Mountain, 1,164 tall mountain in Georgia, USA, is the southernmost peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the southern terminus of the famous Appalachian Trail which makes this mountain a world destination. It is located on the border of Gilmer and Fannin counties. The highest summit is 1,164m (3,820ft) high. It divides the northern and southern parts of the Blue Ridge. It is located inside the Chattachoochee National Forest which covers 749,689 acres in north Georgia, and the Ed Jenkins National Recreational Area.
HISTORY OF springer mountain
The mountain has had its name since at least 1910. There is some uncertainty as to the origin of the name. A possible explanation is that it was named after William G. Springer, an early settler whose job was to improve the conditions for the natives by implementing legislation. Another story says that it was named after the first ordained Presbyterian minister in Georgia, John Springer. Some residents of Gilmer County continued to call it Penitentiary Mountain as late as 1959, although the origin of that name is not known. The name was officially changed by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club.
HIKING GUIDE FOR SPRINGER MOUNTAIN
Springer Mountain is a hiker's mountain and there are no technical routes for the more adventurous, but, in winter, an ice storm can make it more interesting! Besides the well-known Appalachian Trail, the most popular trails are:
Springer Mountain Trail, is a 17km moderate trail near Ellijay that features beautiful wild flowers and is accessible all year round. The Benton MacKaye trail (BMT) winds east and west and crosses the Appalachian Trail twice. It starts at the same place as the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain, and stretches 300 miles to the northeast end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They share the first few miles before they split to go their separate ways. Blue Ridge is the first town on the Benton MacKaye Trail system. AT Approach trail offers access to Springer Mountain from Amicalola Falls, Georgia’s tallest waterfall, and then goes through beautifully diverse forest to the final southern blaze of the Appalachian Trail. While this is a longer-distance option to access Springer Mountain, it’s an incredibly scenic one.
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
The Appalachian Trail, officially called the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, is the longest hiking trail in the world, stretching more than 3,400 kilometres from Georgia to Maine, passing through 14 U. S. states. Although the slogan is "Maine to Georgia," most people hike the trail the other way, Georgia to Maine. This is due to Georgia's mild climate, since hikers like to start the 6 month trek in April. Another possible reason is that the toughest part of the trail, in New Hampshire and Maine is saved for last, when hikers are in better condition to handle it.
Conceived by Benton MacKaye, a well- known American planner and forester, in 1910 and finished in 1937, it extends along the Appalachian Mountains from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia. It passes through eight national forests and two national parks and at times traverses towns, roads and farms. It has a well - developed hut system. Shelters and campsites are maintained by mountain and hiking clubs. Shelters in the area include:
Springer Mountain Shelter located about 300m from the summit,
Amicalola’s Shelter, about 150m behind the Visitor Center,
Black Gap Shelter, about 2.5km south of the summit on the Appalachian Approach Trail.
Stover Creek Shelter on the Appalachian Trail, about 4 kilometres north of the summit.
Free camping is also available, but it is advisable to camp only around the shelters because bear incidents have been reported.
Every year, thousands of hikers follow its enormously long, winding, scenic path, and both day-hikers and weekend backpackers flock to the trail in large numbers.