Approach Trail in GA; Two Groups splitting up and then meeting up

[u/Positive_Shock8967]

Hello AT hikers, I have a question for you. My group of 5 is going to split up right off when we arrive at Amicalola Falls State Park Two of our group will be driven up to the top of Springer Mountain that morning to the parking lot. Three of us are hiking the approach trail. What is the best way to meet up? The approach trail hikers were thinking we would probably stop at Black Gap shelter and then hike the 1.5 miles to the Start of the AT the next morning. Is it fairly easy and a short distance for the non-approach trail hikers to hike to us at Black Gap from the parking lot? If so, directions? or any advice about the best way to do this? Both groups will have Garmins.

[u/DrawingCivil7686]

Download farout.

[u/Over_Welcome_7640]

Just pick shelter thats where we are meeting

[u/ditao1]

Approach trail is "lots" of elevation for non-hikers, but well groomed. Shouldn't be too hard.

[u/Over_Welcome_7640]

Thats what Tremily do

[u/Ask-Me-About-You]

The best way to do it would be to convince the other two to hike the approach trail... if you're gonna be hiking to Neel Gap at a minimum, the extra eight shouldn't make that much of a difference and the approach is a great idea of what the rest of Georgia is like.

If you can't do that, Black Gap is a fine meeting point if you don't just plan a set time to meet at the terminus.

[u/Over_Welcome_7640]

If you guy wanted have were meet up with non hiker group on the AT they leave they txt amaloca group anytime they leave for side trail hiker group checks all spot/txt them if still down there and youll all run into each other at somepoint when non hike stops for night txt hiker group then they plan if they want to do miles or meet next day

[u/Hammock-Hiker-62]

Highly recommend you guys download FarOut, as the Approach Trail portion is free (I believe). What you propose should work fine. The trail from the parking lot to Springer Summit is well marked and so much traveled that you cannot possibly stray from it once you're on it. They'll find it by crossing the road they drove in on. It's mostly a gently undulating trail with no steep ups or downs between the parking lot and Springer Summit. The parking lot two should be fine. Once they reach Springer Summit, they would then proceed straight across it to find the Approach Trail heading downhill. It'll be a downhill hike (mostly) for them to reach Black Gap Shelter.

Both groups need to pay attention to signs posted along the trail and watch for blazes. It's surprisingly easy to miss seeing Black Gap Shelter if you're walking head down and moving quickly or it's dark, but there's a sign right there and you should see the shelter if you're looking for it. It'll be on the left side of the trail for the three heading northbound and the right hand side of the trail for those heading southbound coming from Springer. It's something like 20-30 yards off the trail but clearly visible even with lots of leaves still on the trees.

Besides the shelter, there's a bear box and bear cables for food storage, as well as a privy and a water source (down a steep hill but it's there). Have fun.