Friday, July 8, 2005
This trail is one of the most exceptional outdoor experiences you'll ever have - there's something for everyone. Here's a secret, if you can find your way down stream, just about a tenth of a mile or so after the edge of the world rapids, you may encounter sun bathers in the buff. I've enjoyed nude sun bathing here for the past ten years.
Monday, October 4, 2004
I am looking for a trail in North Georgia where I hiked two years ago. We hiked in around 5 miles I think, and saw black bears along the way. Eventually---the hike opened up on a HUGE waterfall. You could climb to the top and it was very dangerous if you got close to the edge. Waterfall was wayy way back in the woods and was undeveloped. Anyone know where this is?? gt7580a@hotmail.com
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Good views along the river. A little confusing as to trailhead placement but after a false start or two we figured it out. A nice 1/2 day hike. Two places where downed trees require a slight walk around but easily handled.
Saturday, April 10, 2004
We hiked the Amicalcola River Trail on Good Friday, April 9, 2004. It was a beautiful day for a hike. This was our first time on this trail. It was a great experience for all of us. We met one couple and their dog on the trail. We hiked the trail counter clockwise. The river a bit low, however the section of trail that is the by the river was very nice. We did have a challenge in following the trail's blue blazes. They are growing old and faded. All in all it was a great hike and we are planning on doing it again in the future.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
I hiked this trail this past Saturday. Some things have changed in the past year since my last trail report. First off there was a mudslide in the parking area. But, much more major than that, part of the forest the trail is in has been clearcut. It is the part of the trail where you take a left back into the woods from the gravel road if you are traveling counterclockwise (river first). It is not too bad. There are signs to mark where you should turn back into the woods. You can see where other people have walked through the very right side of the clearcut to the forest. The clearcut is about 250 yards long I guess. Other than the clearcut, the trail was as beautiful as ever on a nice fall Saturday.
Saturday, October 19, 2002
I hiked the trail today. It looks like the river was low. It wasn't even up to the gauge at the canoe put in. I started out going counterclockwise or starting at the river. I got to the rapid and then the trail split off in about 3-4 directions. Look for the blue blaze on the rhondodendron tree which is a quick left up a hill. I didn't see this the first time so I turned around and hiked the trail the other way. The other entrance is up the road from the parking area. It is not hard to find. The forest part of the trail was nice and peaceful. I was disappointed in the homeplace and still. Where were they? I saw the signs but could find no signs of either place. I did see the old fence wire in the tree though. The signs were a nice addition. There were so many mushrooms of all sizes, shapes, and colors on the trail. I saw some of the biggest mushrooms that I've ever come across. I only passed one couple on the forest part of the trail. There were numerous people on the river part. I don't think many know about the forest part of the trail. The trail follows a forest road for a short distance, but just keep an eye out where the trail starts out again. There was an old flatbed trailer on the side of the forest road today. In all this trail was very nice and not as far as others from where I live.
Monday, September 16, 2002
Beautiful rapids. Not crowded at all. We only saw 1 other person, but went on a Wednesday. The trail would be just about the same number of up-hill and down-hills no matter which end you start from. Our personal choice is to end up by the rapids, then go up rocks to get back to the begining. However, going down the rocks is not that bad. The trail is well marked with blue lines, just make sure you pay attention to them since soem of the trail goies out onto a gravel road, then back into the woods again. Overall, We thought this trail was great!
Tuesday, April 9, 2002
Hiked this trail with brother, son, and nephew last week. Weather was great and no bugs. Nice trail and worth the effort. Saw only two people.
Monday, February 18, 2002
I hiked this trail 02/16/02 and found it worth the trip. There were very few people out on the day I went. The walk in was easy; however access to a viewing area for the rapids was a little tricky. Once out of the woods you can skip from rock to rock and sit out in the middle of the rapids. With the sunshine and the water noise it is very easy to lose track of time. The rest of the hike around the loop was interesting as well. Once on top of the ridge and past the boy scout monument there are a few places that allow a great view of Springer Mountain. Also on the ridge I came upon a large, but shy gathering of blue birds. The river trail is also (relatively speaking) not far from Amicalola Falls so you can combine the river hike with a trip to the falls. The top of the falls give you a great view of the valley and the front range of Mountains.
Monday, January 14, 2002
hiked this trail w/ my wife, (may 2001)to the Len Foote Hike Inn. Easy to moderate (w/ a 40lb pack) stayed overnite & hiked out the next morning. Very enjoyable. steamy walk in & enjoyable morning hike out...didnt see any black bears..DARN! looking foward to visiting this trail in April 2002 as i attempt the A.T. for 9 days!
Saturday, January 12, 2002
The trail is beautiful. There are a few places where trees have fallen over the path and one has to step over or under them. Other than that, the trail is clear. We hiked the entire loop with our three children (ages 3, 5, and 7). For a first hike in a long time, they made it fine.
Monday, October 8, 2001
I hiked this trail by myself on a beautiful early October morning. I chose to go down to the river first and that is certainly the more spectacular part of the trail. It is an easy hike with a bit of climbing after you leave the river to get the heart rate up a little. There are some 12 to 14 signs discussing the flora and the fauna along the trail. I was hoping to see some wildlife while on the hike but with the exception of a yellow jacket nest along the trail side, I didn't have any luck. Once I got away from the road and the river noise, it was so quiet you could hear it. Not many birds out that day. It was a wonderfully peaceful hike and one that you could take a family on. Perhaps even backpack a young child. I would recommend for those bringing any youngsters that you start the hike away from the river first. Coming back up from the river at the end of the hike would be much more safe. It is about 20 to 30 feet down to the river if you start that way and your climbing down rocks. There were some loose rocks that could have been dangerous. All in all, I had a very nice short hike. This web site lists the hike as 2.63 miles. The sign at the site says 3.5 miles. I'm guessing the 2.63 is more likely right.
Sunday, August 12, 2001
Walked this trail 8/11/01. Would rate it easy and uncrowded. No swimmers today at the rapid - which is the highlight of the trail. Signs were up, and my daughter especially enjoyed them. Ground wasps were abundant; if you are allergic take benedryl with you this time of year. Would be a really special walk after the leaves have fallen - we could guess at some beautiful views from the ridge. We lolligagged, but this would be a good fitness walk if you set a solid pace.
Tuesday, July 31, 2001
I hiked the trail on a Monday with my beloved dog Emma. It was nice walk, not overly strenuous. Kids and older folks should have no problem once they get past that first drop to the river. The river was beautiful! We lost the trail momentarily at the turn away from the river, the blazes are starting to fade. Apparently the birds stayed near the water, it got very quiet the further we got away from the river. I was hoping to see some wildlife since we were the only car in the lot but all we saw was one of the biggest squirrels I have ever seen! Emma nearly yanked the leash out of my hand when she caught its scent. We stopped at the picnic table to rest and listen. Nice touch, I know Jason would be proud. The interpretive signs have been replaced, I hope the idiots among us leave them alone! This is a very pretty walk. We saw hundreds of ferns and walked through nearly as many spider webs! The city of Atlanta bought this land years ago to possilbly build another airport. Let's hope they forget they have it!
Sunday, April 8, 2001
This trail has pretty much everything one could want in a trail; river, rapids, hills, coves, creeks, history, and wildlife. For beginner and intermediate hikers I would rate it moderate. If you have a dog, it may be a little tough to get down to the trail from the road but there are ways if you look around. Be patient. At first the trail seems a bit civilized complete with discarded candy wrappers and soft drink containers but soon the farther from the road you go the nicer it gets. By the time the trail turns away from the river, it will seem very private. We saw only one other couple after we left the river. One last bit of advice. after the trail turns from the river, it goes along for awhile then appears to turn left. It doesn't. Just keep following the Blue Blazes. Also, when you see a sign for "Dove Fields", turn left back onto the trail and you'll be just fine. My wife and I were pleasantly tired when we finished. A really super place that's not too far from home.
Tuesday, March 20, 2001
My wife and I hiked it March 19. Nice hike along ridge. Beautiful view from the memorial. The old homesite and the still were dissapointing. The sign at the trailhead says it's 3.5 miles long. Who's right?
Monday, September 18, 2000
This is a beautiful little trail! I recomend it highly. Please pack your trash out so it can remain beautiful.
Monday, September 18, 2000
This is short trail is beautiful and I recommend it highly. Please pack your trash out!
Monday, August 28, 2000
This is a great trail for those of us who are "fitness challenged". It offers enough uphill climbs to remind us that we really really need to lose weight and do this hiking thing more often, but it doesn't slap us upside the head and remind us in a loud and obnoxious voice that we are grossly out of shape. It is more "polite" than that. I am fortunate to live less than a half hour from the trail and have hiked it often. It is one of my favorite ambles in the area.
Sunday, August 6, 2000
HIKED ON 8-6-00..LOOP TRAIL THAT I HIKED BOTH WAYS TO GET IN THE FULL MILEAGE. STARTED AT 10.25 AM FINISHED AT 1.35PM...80 TO 85 DEGREES VERY HUMID. PLENTY OF PARKING AT THE BRIDGE ON HIWAY 53..THERE WERE 3 AUTOS PARKED WHEN I STARTED AND 12 WHEN I FINISHED. ALTHOUGH I SAW ONLY ONE OTHER HIKER THER WERE AT LEAST 25 OTHER PEOPLE MILLING AROUND THE TRAIL HEAD NEAR RIVER OR SWIMMING IN THE RIVER.
STEEP TRAIL HEAD OF ROCKS LEADING DOWN TO RIVER, IF WET COULD PROBABLY BE A PROBLEM WITHOUT A HIKING STAFF....THE TRAIL THEN LEVELS OFF AND FOLLOWS THE RIVER FOR ABOUT HALF MILE. LOTS OF GOOD LOOKING FISHING SPOTS ALONG THE WAY. POOLS A LITTLE TOO DEEP TO WADE BUT A BELLY TUBE OR FLOAT TUBE WOULD BE IDEAL TO GET UP UNDER THE OVERHANG AND TO OTHER SIDE OF RIVER. QUESTIONED A FISHERMAN AND TOLD ME GOOD BASS, BREAM FISHING BELOW HIWAY 53 BETTER TROUT ABOVE HIWAY 53...ALSO SOME GREAT LOOKING SPOTS TO TAKE A DIP...WOULD HAVE ON WAY BACK BUT IT WAS SO CROWDED I PASSED UP....ONCE YOU GET PAST THE CLASS 4 RAPIDS CALLED EDGE OF THE WORLD THE TRAIL LEAVES THE RIVER. AND JUST AS A SIDE NOTE, I HAVE CANOE'D FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD TAKE A CANOE OVER THAT CLASS 4, AT LEAST NOT ONE THAT I OWNED, ITS A PRETTY GOOD DROP OFF....
TRAIL HEADS UP AND LEVELS OFF TAKING YOU OVER AND THRU SEVERAL BRANCHES OF WATER. THE BOY SCOUTS SET UP INTERPRETIVE SIGNS ALONG THE WAY POINTING OUT OLD HOMESTEAD, OLD TREE STANDS, YELLOW BELLIED SAPSUCKERS HANDY WORK, AND THERE IS EVEN A PLAQUE HONORING JASON FUNK, AN EAGLE SCOUT THAT DIED IN 1991...I TRIED TO GET SOME INFO ON THIS YOUNG MAN AND NO LUCK. VIEWS OF THE RIVER AND ALSO OF SPRINGER MTN ABOUT 10 MILES AWAY...ABOUT HALF THE SIGNS HAVE EITHER BEEN VANDALIZED OR BROKEN, WHICH IS A SHAME..
ITS A GREAT TRAIL AND WOULD BE ONE THAT YOU COULD TAKE THE ENTIRE FAMILY. 2 PLACES WHERE LARGE TREES HAVE FALLEN ACROSS TRAIL BUT EASY TO GET AROUND. TAKE PLENTY OF WATER OR AT LEAST APURIFIER...SEVERAL PLACES FOR WATER AFTER YOU LEAVE RIVER.
HAPPY TRAILS TO YA
BILL JONES
JONESBORO GA
Trail Length:2.63 miles
Location: Dawson County
Features:stream, historic, canoeing.
Last hiked:04/14/2000 | Type of trail:Loop
Our rating:Easy
Your rating:Moderate (55)
Date added:04/14/2000
Trail Usage:Light
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