Drive to Trailhead & Trail Guide - Springer Mtn. W4G/HC-005
Drive Guide - Springer Mountain from Atlanta
- Google Maps URL from Atlanta (33.917, -84.3378):
- TO summit: https://preview.tinyurl.com/springer-2018
- Seasonal/Limited Access: No gates encountered; lots of dirt road.
- Directions from Atlanta: Duration = 1:55 (2014 measurement)
- GA-400 North for 40 miles
- L on GA-136 West, Harmony Church Rd and go 6.6
- R on Shoal Creek Rd, GA-136-Spur, at old courthouse and go 2.6
- Bear L on GA-136 and go 3.2
- R on Bailey Waters Rd and go 2.4
- R on Max Wehunt Rd and go 1.2
- R on GA-52 East and go and go 1.8
- Bear L on Nimblewill Church Rd and go 1.1
- R at T at church to stay on Nimblewill Church Rd and go 0.1
- L on FS-28-1 and go 2.1
- Bear L onto USFS-77 and go 4.9 (This doesn’t quite match Google in 2014.)
- L on dirt road and go 2.6 (I think this is USFS-42).
- Parking lot on R. Lot frequently full by mid-morning on weekends/holidays.
- Note: USFS-77 had some moderate mud spots, erosion down to rough rocks, and deep ruts. But Appalachian Blue Ridge and Winding Stair Gap Rd north of Deerlick Gap was a muddy morass. I drove it downhill on my way to Sassafras Mtn, and I don’t think I could have driven it uphill.
- Food
- Last McDonalds: GA-400 at GA-53 near Dawsonville. Last chance for gas!
- Penultimate McDonalds: GA-400 at GA-306
- Anti-penultimate McDonalds: GA-400 at GA-20 (turn L 0.3 from 400) in Cumming
Drive Guide - Springer Mountain from Sassafras Mtn
- Google Maps:
- Seasonal/Limited Access: No gates encountered; lots of dirt road.
- **Directions: Duration =
- Continue West on Coopers Gap Rd / Appalachian Blue Ridge Rd and go 5.0
- Straight on Hightower Gap Rd (merges in from R) and go 0.8
- Name change to Winding Stair Gap Rd and go 1.6
- Bear R onto USFS-? and go 2.6
Drive Guide - Springer Mountain TO Atlanta
- Google Maps:
- Seasonal/Limited Access: No gates encountered; lots of dirt road.
- Directions: Duration
- L out of lot and go 2.6
- R on Winding Stair Gap Rd and go 4.9
- Road makes sharp L, then turn R on FS-28 and go 2.0
- R on Nimblewill Church Rd and go 700 ft
- L on Nimblewill Church Rd and go 1.2
- Bear R on GA-52 W and go 1.8
- Bear L on Max Wehunt Rd and go 1.1
- Bear L on SR-342 and go 2.4
- L on GA-136 E and go 3.2
- Bear R on Shoal Creek Rd and go 2.6
- Go around the square and go R ond GA-9 S and go 11.9
- L on GA-369 E and go 1
- R on GA-400 S and go 29.5
Drive Guide - Springer Mountain from Rock Mtn (HC-008)
- Directions from Rocky Mtn (HC-008): Duration = 1:00
- Head South/East (away from US-76/GA-5) on Rock Creek/Stanley Creek Rd and go 3.9
- R on Aska Rd and go 5.1 (expensive restaurant here)
- R on Newport Rd and go 4.2
- R on Doublehead Gap Rd and go 2.0
- L toward Blue Ridge WMA (maybe USFS-42). (@ gravel lot on R w/2 Mt. Pleasant Church)
- Go 6.5 on dirt road. Big parking lot on left.
Trail Guide
- Duration: 1.0 miles, 400’ climb, Ascent = 0:45, Descent = 0:30
- Navigation
- Trailhead is across the road from the parking lot.
- There is a ridge line just west of the dirt road. Follow the AT up this ridge to the summit.
- Frequent small boulders in trail slow the hike.
- Trailhead altitude: 3375
- Summit altitude: 3758
- GPS tracks/waypoints:
- Trailhead: 34.63745, -84.19540
- Summit: 34.62680, -84.19370
Summit Guide
- Hang antenna from tree: Yes
- Space to guy mast: Yes
- Cell coverage: AT&T=good, Vzn=good, APRS=good.
- Note: No cell at parking. If you’re going to another summit afterward, get your Google map route at the summit.
- Unique features: Southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail (marked with a plaque).