On Wednesday afternoon, we drove over to Amicalola Falls State Park after work (daughter Melissa, granddaughter Racheal, and I). It is close to here, about 8 miles as the crow flies, about 20 minutes around the curvy mountain roads. The falls and lodge can be seen for miles around. The 729-foot falls is the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Amicalola is a Cherokee Indian word meaning "tumbling waters".
Since I can remember, a trail has been in place from the base of the falls about halfway up, with a viewing platform. But within the past few years, new steps have been constructed going all the way up to the top of the falls, 604 steps in all. This was our goal.
We stopped in the visitor center and checked out the T-shirts "I survived 604 steps," and told the clerk we were going to climb the steps and would be back for our shirts.
We climbed the steps up and down, Racheal did the math and said the shirt should say 1208 steps. But when we got back to the shop, it was closed.
Amicalola Falls park is the southernmost beginning point of the Appalachian Trail. We met some hikers loaded down with backpacks, bedrolls, etc. and asked them about their hike. They were coming back after being gone for 3 days, saying how rough it was, they couldn't find any water, and never did make it to Springer Mountain. (Note: Springer Mountain is the official Southern end of the AT, uphill 8.5 miles on the approach trail from Amicalola Falls)
We accomplished part of our goal, the steps - been there, done that - but no T-shirt to prove it, maybe today we will go back just for shopping.
Amicalola Falls State Park
previous AT thoughts
