[at-l] Re: Trail Report of Recent Springer Hike and Len Foote Hiker Inn Visit

["Gary Buffington" <gbuffmd@bigfoot.com>]

    Millie and I recently hiked from Amicalola Falls (1.1 mile mark) to
Springer by the Approach Trail.  We spent night one tented at Frosty
Mountain (4.7 mile mark) in the rain.  We spent night two tented near the
Black Gap Shelter (7.1 mile mark) in the rain.  We walked up to Springer
(8.1 mile mark) in a driving rain and wind of about 40 MPH.  We could barely
see the monument because of the fog and blowing rain.  It was about 50
degrees most of the time.  It was a very nice weekend. The springs were not
dry.
    We wanted a test for our first real hike and it went perfectly.  We
learned how to make and break camp in the rain and sleeping in the rain was
great.  An umbrella is very handy for going to the bathroom at night in a
rain storm.
    We then walked about 5 miles to the new Len Foote Hike Inn and spent the
third night.  The Inn is beautiful and what a view to the East of about 50
miles or so to Dahlonega, Georgia.  To the North is a great view of Springer
and Black Mountains.  The rooms are about 7 x 10 and have single bunk beds.
There are twenty rooms.  As the brochure says the rooms are "cooled by
breezes and heated by blankets."  The rooms have one 12 volt light.  There
is a very nice communal men's and women's rooms and showers with heat and
warm water.  Meals are served family style in a beautiful large dining room.
The meal menu is the type of food that was eaten in the area by the original
settlers and was wonderful.  Dinner and Breakfast are included in the price.
They supply bedding and towels.  The hike to the Inn is 4.96 miles of new
trail and follows the topo lines so the target market of Atlanta folks who
would rarely get into the woods can make the hike.  It may prove too tough
for them but not for a hiker or walker.
    The lodge lobby, the view room, and the dining room are all heated by
wood burning stoves.  The bathrooms (not the toilets) are heated by propane
gas heaters.  The toilets are natural composting models that are said to
last 5 years if only human waste and toilet tissue are deposited; however,
on the grand opening weekend some guests threw soda cans in!
    The 4.96 mile walk back to Amicalola was beautiful with a driving
rainstorm and fall leaf color still present on the trees.  There were
several rhododendron thickets and some very nice foot bridges.  A Monday
buffet lunch at the Amicalola Falls Lodge was also very nice and only about
$8.
    The lodge manager Sunny "Light Eagle" is a 1988 ThruHiker.   Cynthia, a
former Konnarock ATC Crew Leader is also a manager.
    Reservations for the Inn are through the Georgia State Parks reservation
line at 1-800-864-7275.  Information at 1-404-656-3530.  $110 for two, $75
single.

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